Addison Merges With The Group to Create Addison Group, the UK's Leading Integrated Corporate Communications Agency

LONDON, August 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

WPP company, Addison, the award-winning European corporate communications agency, today announced that it is merging with The Group, the UK's leading online corporate communications agency, to become Addison Group.

Employing around 120 people and with revenue of £12 million, Addison Group will provide a range of consultancy, communication, reporting and design services to a blue-chip client list, including 16 Euro100 companies such as BASF, BG Group, Heineken, Prudential, Tesco, Unilever, Centrica and Zurich Insurance. While both agencies are currently based in London, 50% of Addison's clients are based in mainland Europe.

The merger of Addison and The Group creates a truly integrated pan-European corporate communications agency, providing an unparalleled range of services, including research, consultancy and creative through to digital design, build and hosting services for web sites, apps, mobile and social media. The merger combines The Group's deep digital expertise and substantial technology infrastructure with Addison's best-in-class corporate reporting and stakeholder communications.

Mark Hill, founder of The Group, will become Addison Group's Chairman and manage the combined entity with Tom Robinson, Addison's Chief Executive Officer.

On the merger of the companies, Hill said, "This is a new agency to meet the needs of corporate communicators today, the first of its kind. By combining these market-leading businesses, we are reacting to the needs of our clients, who are asking for integrated communications solutions which offer demonstrated value for money and high creativity across all channels and audiences."

Cathal Smyth, The Group's managing director, said, "We are very excited by the benefits this will bring for our clients and to working with the team at Addison who have long been known for their creativity and innovation in corporate reporting and stakeholder communications."

Notes to Editors:

Established in London over 30 years ago and a WPP company since 1999, Addison is a leading European corporate communications agency delivering consultancy, design and production expertise across all corporate communications disciplines: financial and sustainability reporting, internal communications, brand and corporate identity management and digital media.

The Group specialise in designing, building, hosting and developing corporate web sites and digital consulting services, and was founded in 1991 by Mark Hill. Clients include Tesco, BG Group, Centrica, Kingfisher, InterContinental Hotels Group, Tullow Oil, Cairn Energy, Petrofac and Rexam. The Group employs 65 people in London.

Addison Group will provide its clients with a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Creative and design skills across corporate and brand communications in digital and print
• Digital design, build and support services for web sites, apps, mobile and social media
• Research services, including web analytics, benchmarking, thought leadership and trend consulting
• Corporate reporting consultancy, including advice on regulation, statutory disclosure and best practice disclosure
• Broader corporate communications consultancy covering strategy and sustainability communications, digital, internal communications, brand and visual identity development
• Technology platforms and expertise, including hosting services and blogging, careers and crisis communications portals

In 2012 The Group and Addison received a combined total of over 30 awards globally, including The Group being named UK Digital Agency of the Year 2012 by Communicate magazine.

Web site: http://www.the-group.net Twitter: @groupfriends Facebook.com/GroupFriends

Web site: http://www.addison.co.uk Twitter: @addisonlondon

Contact:
Mark Hill, +44(0)2074363140