Design company Elmwood has been purchased by MSQ Group, set to combine forces with Holmes & Marchant.
MSQ Acquires Elmwood to Create Global Design Agency
In a significant move, marketing services group MSQ has announced the acquisition of international design firm Elmwood in a seven-figure deal. The merged entity will operate as a global design agency, delivering branded experiences to a wider client range.
MSQ's Holmes & Marchant, which holds a stronger brand recognition in Asia, will merge with Elmwood. The decision to use Elmwood's name outside Asia was based on brand recognition, while the merged entity in Asia will continue to operate under the Holmes & Marchant name.
The acquisition, facilitated by private equity partner LDC, involves offices in London, New York, and Singapore. The merged entity will employ approximately 200 people across these locations.
The aim of the acquisition is to create a new global design agency model. This model will maintain a separate identity in Asia and operate as Elmwood outside the region. The merged agency will strive to deliver branded experiences to a broader client base.
According to MSQ chief executive Peter Reid, who made the communication to Adweek, the decision was strategic. The merged entity will create a new global design agency model, aiming to cater to a wider range of clients.
At present, there is no detailed public information available about the new global design agency model created by the merger. However, general insights suggest that such models typically evolve to provide a more comprehensive range of services and cater to a broader clientele after mergers.
As more information becomes available, we will keep you updated. In the meantime, stay tuned for further developments in this exciting merger.
The acquisition of Elmwood by MSQ aims to create a new global design agency model, offering a broader range of services and catering to a wider client base in the world of business and finance. Under this model, the merged entity will operate as Elmwood outside Asia while maintaining a separate identity as Holmes & Marchant in the Asian market, providing branded experiences globally.
