Bristol-based law firm Meade King and the city office of accountants Haines Watts have advised on the sale of a leading social media influencer agency to advertising giant M&C Saatchi Group.
The deal – regarded by commentators as significant in the burgeoning specialist influencer market – involved M&C Saatchi taking a majority stake in Red Hare Digital, a London-based talent agency which manages more than 40 specialist creators. 
Its roster includes beauty product influencers such as Jordan Lipscombe who has more than 1.35m YouTube subscribers.
M&C Saatchi has also snapped up Red Hare’s sister company Grey Whippet, which uses social media personalities to drive marketing campaigns for leading brands including The Body Shop and Primark.
Meade King’s company and commercial team, led by managing partner James Hawkins and supported by solicitor Campbell McKellar, advised Red Hare Digital on all legal aspects of the deal.
This involved carrying out all due diligence work, negotiating contracts and ensuring the transaction was completed within the agreed timeframe.
Financial aspects of the deal were negotiated by Haines Watts’ Bristol office corporate finance director Ian Bascombe.
James Hawkins, pictured, said: “M&C Saatchi recognised Red Hare Digital as pioneers in this new and exciting business sector. We’re proud to have advised the firm, which is at the leading edge of the social media influencer market which is estimated to grow to £8bn by 2020.”
Red Hare and Grey Whippet will combine to form a new business called M&C Saatchi Social, led by Red Hare founders Jonathan Poole and Kate Lovett. M&C Saatchi Social and M&C Saatchi Merlin will together form The M&C Saatchi Talent Group.
Jonathan Poole said: “After four years of incredible growth, we were looking for a partner that unquestionably understood broadcast, brands and talent, in order for us to be in pole position to maximise opportunities for our talent.
“In M&C Saatchi Merlin and the wider M&C Saatchi group, we believe we’ve found the ideal company to enable us to expand and broaden the business both locally and internationally.”
Meade King provides a wide range of specialist legal services to small and medium-sized businesses across the South West and nationally from its Bristol office. Its lawyers have particular expertise in areas such as commercial property, business sales and acquisitions, construction contracts, dispute resolution and employment law.
