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Hammersley launches new-style network Harbour

Former Cheil and Red Brick Road boss Paul Hammersley is launching Harbour, an affiliation of indie agencies aiming to compete with the big holding companies.

Members include creative agency George & Dragon, media shop Goodstuff, on site specialist Oliver, outdoor buyer Talon, digital agency Dac, creative and production company Just So and sound company Scramble.

Harbour says it will provide these agencies with centralised back office teams and they will collaborate on pitches.

Hammersley (left) says: “We’ve got to a place where 75 per cent of the global industry is controlled by six companies. There’s no reason to have that concentration of ownership.

“Some clients see reassurance in scale so the logic is to help independent agencies survive through connected offers. The industry needs this and it will help level the playing field.”

It’s not immediately clear why substantial operations like Oliver and Talon need such help although in these days of rapidly declining margins it may make sense. But the restless Hammersley is known for thinking outside the box and, for now, Harbour has an impressive line-up.

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