Agencies come in all shapes and sizes these days and one such is 1000heads (actually it’s currently 150 or so) which says it provides social media-led data and insights, strategic consultancy and creative services. Clients include Wella, Microsoft and Uniqlo.
Energetic private equity firm Phoenix Equity Partners is clearly a believer as it’s just invested north of £30m in the agency. 1000heads’ 150 or so heads cover London, New York, Sydney, Dubai and Berlin with revenue estimated at £28m in 2019.
Founder Mike Rowe, who’s becoming a non-exec following the deal, says: “We have been on an exciting journey and we wanted a partner who shared our vision for the future, and who would enable us to grow rapidly while preserving our independent culture and identity. From our first conversation, it was clear that Phoenix understood our ambitions and is best placed to help us realise them.”
CEO Mike Davison says: “The 1000heads team has achieved great things over the last few years, growing rapidly, winning new accounts and continuing to build trusted relationships with some of the best brands on the planet. The partnership with Phoenix is going to help us support our continued growth with investment in infrastructure, operations and footprint.”
Among the advisers on the deal was Jim Houghton of Waypoint Partners, formerly of marcoms M&A specialist Results International.
