Archives April, 2012

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• S.I.Partners advises Way to Blue on development capital fundraise

  By Francesca, 20th April 2012

  S.I.Partners have successfully advised Way to Blue with raising development funds to accelerate the company’s expansion plans.

  Way to Blue is a London based digital marketing and communications agency working predominantly within the film entertainment industry. The company has established a strong reputation for managing client’s PR communications in the digital world across a variety of platforms including online, social networks and mobile.

  “We have a strong heritage spanning over a decade in the film entertainment sector. Given the depth of our expertise and our established geographic footprint, we are seeing significant opportunities to grow our business both within our core sectors but also across ancillary areas”, notes Olly Swanton, Group CEO. “S.I.Partners ran a very well structured process for us to access growth funds from a variety of banking institutions culminating in the selection of a preferred funding partner who can support the next stage of our development. Our selected partner was able to come up with a great offer and structure which matched our requirements exactly”.

• S.I.Partners advises Portland on sale of majority stake to Omnicom

  By Francesca, 12th April 2012

  Omnicom Group’s Diversified Agency Services Acquires Stake in Leading UK Agency Portland and Creates New Strategic Alliance

  Omnicom Group’s (NYSE: OMC) Diversified Agency Services (DAS) today announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Portland, London’s fastest growing independent communications agency. The deal will give the agency investment and growth potential while preserving its management team and its highly respected brand. Portland’s senior management team will retain a significant stake in the business.

  Founded by Tim Allan, a former senior adviser to Tony Blair and Director of Communications at BSkyB, Portland has developed a highly successful offer combining unique media and political expertise which has seen it enjoy 11 years of dramatic growth. As well as its London hub, the agency has offices in New York and Nairobi.

  Through this acquisition Portland will work closely with g+ europe, the European political and communications firm, to create a new, high-end branded international political communications alliance.

  Dale A. Adams, President and CEO of DAS, said, “Portland’s dedication to quality and its ability to attract the best talent is what makes it stand out in the marketplace and I’m delighted they have chosen to join the DAS family. I’m particularly excited about the launch of the new international alliance between g+ europe and Portland. Communications and regulatory challenges are increasingly international in nature and this new strategic alliance will help meet the changing needs of clients.”

  “In a PR market that’s been hit hard by the recession, our growth and this significant deal buck market trends and that’s a testament to our outstanding team,” said Portland founder Tim Allan. “Looking back at where it all started 11 years ago with me and a laptop, it’s fantastic to be announcing a deal of this scale and to be planning the next chapter of Portland’s growth. This is great news for us, our clients and our staff.”

  Peter Guilford, co-founder and Executive Chairman of g+ europe, said, “The combination of g+ europe in Brussels, Paris and Berlin and Portland in London and New York will be a force to be reckoned with in the international communications market. g+ europe and Portland have already worked successfully together on many projects and I’m confident this deeper partnership will achieve great things for our current and future clients.”