MSQ adds Elmwood to Holmes & Marchant to create global design contender
Go-go marketing services group MSQ has bought design firm Elmwood to merge with venerable Holmes & Marchant to create what it calls a new global design agency model, trading globally as Elmwood.
CEO Galesloot says: “Elmwood shares the same ambition as Holmes & Marchant to be a key brand guardian for its clients in the development of powerful content that drives competitive advantage. The demand for content is outpacing supply. Brands truly need to stand out in a crowded marketplace. By combining forces, we’ve created a new agency model to help companies meet this demand and ensure their branded experiences are consistent and strategic across all channels.
“We have a solid platform of existing clients to further build this proposition and capitalise on cross-pollination opportunities for Elmwood and more broadly for MSQ.”
MSQ global CEO Peter Reid says: “Many global design agencies have strengths in particular geographies but not truly globally. The same has been true in the past of both Holmes & Marchant and Elmwood. What this acquisition does is bring together a marriage of equals to create a global design powerhouse.”
MSQ agencies now include Freemavens (research), Holmes & Marchant (branding and design), MMT Digital, Smarts (PR and content), MBAstack (customer acquisition), Stein IAS (B2B marketing), The Gate (creative and media), Walk-In Media (full-service media), twentysix (digital) and Brave Spark (creative production.)