Bristol-based internal communications specialist Synergy Creative has been acquired by McCann Worldgroup, the global marketing group.
McCann, which also has an office in Bristol, said taking over Synergy would broaden its employee engagement and organisational culture capabilities. Synergy’s recent client wins include budget supermarket group Aldi, furniture retailer DFS and pub and hotel chain Fuller’s.
Its 40-strong team will continue to operate out of Bristol and its smaller London office under the name ‘McCann Synergy’. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Synergy was founded in 2006 by Gemma McGrattan, Giles Hicks and Nicky Clark and was recently named ‘The UK’s Best Agency’ by the Institute of Internal Communications and ‘Marketing Agency of the Year’ by respected trade magazine The Drum.
It works with brands to engage their people through insight-driven creative comms and experiences that connect with them and change behaviours.
McCann Worldgroup UK CEO Mark Lund said: “As we continue to go deeper and further in supporting clients to deliver best-in-class brand and customer experiences, we recognise the crucial role organisational culture and the employee experience plays in enabling it.
“Synergy was the clear partner for us to boost our offering to clients.
“Not only are they market leaders in the employee engagement sector, they’re a strategic and creative group with a deep passion for what they do, and we’re looking forward to growing together even further.”
Synergy Creative founding director Gemma McGrattan added: “Straight away we knew McCann was a great fit for us. We’re aligned in both being ideas-first, creative, strategic and entrepreneurial businesses, sharing similar values.
“As experts in an industry that continues to grow globally at a rapid pace, the opportunity to partner with McCann and share their global footprint, is the perfect springboard to take us to the next level.”
McCann employs more than 10,000 people across 100-plus countries in areas such as advertising, relationship marketing, public relations and design.
Pictured, front row: Synergy directors Nicky Clark and Gemma McGrattan. Back row: Giles Hicks – also a Synergy director – with Andy Jones and Dean Lovett from McCann
