We have advised three leading UK creative agencies on their merger to create Further, a new end-to-end creative group backed by Waterland Private Equity and Shawbrook.
Further is the merger of branding agency DesignStudio, motion design studio Analog, and immersive experience pioneers PixelArtworks.
The new entity will be headquartered in London, with additional offices in New York, Sydney and Dubai, and offer a comprehensive suite of services spanning branding, content and immersive experiences for blue-chip, mid-market and government organisations.
Design Studio, co-founded by Paul Stafford and Ben Wright in 2009, is an award winning international branding agency with offices in London, New York and Sydney. It acts for many of the world’s most iconic brands including Airbnb, UEFA Champions League, Deliveroo, Premier League, and Logitech.
Analog, founded in 2006 by Mike Merron, Arvid Niklasson and Matt Chandler, is a creative visual effects and real-time agency whose work has been recognised at major industry awards events including the BAFTAs, Royal Television Society Awards, Global Entertainment Marketing (GEM) Awards and Visual Effects Society Awards (VESA), amongst others.
Established in 2005 by managing director Tom Burch, Pixel Artworks is a leading immersive design and production company with an impressive portfolio which includes working with brands including Nike, Netflix, Paramount Studios and Nissan. The agency is headquartered in London and also has a presence in Dubai.
The founders of all three agencies will remain within the group, with Paul Stafford taking on the role of Group CEO.
Our team advising the founders and management teams of all three independent agencies was led by Manchester corporate partner Leigh Whittaker, supported by associates Victoria Brown and Adam Noble.