Publicis Groupe UK has announced that it has acquired Octopus Group – a B2B marketing specialist agency.
According to the statement, Octopus Group will join Publicis Groupe UK’s existing B2B specialists, and will bring strategic, creative, technology and commercial acumen and experience to clients and B2B brands.
Annette King, CEO of Publicis Groupe UK, said: “We’ve been looking to acquire the right B2B partner to supercharge our skillset in this area for some time. Octopus has a proven track record of solving client challenges in ways that transform categories. Bringing them in to Publicis Groupe UK as part of our Power of One model, presents a great opportunity for client and agency growth.”
Magnus Djaba, CEO of the creative practice, Publicis Groupe UK, added: “The disruption caused by the pandemic means some B2C brands are increasingly adopting a B2B2C approach. Brands are also facing a time of huge technological transformation and disruption, and one of the things that attracted us to Octopus group is their technology background. We need to understand all the challenges our clients face, from marketing to distribution to commerce to product innovation, to deliver the right creativity at every point in their sales funnel.”
Jon Lonsdale, CEO of Octopus Group, said: “Key B2B industries are being transformed and disrupted by technology at warp speed and this signposts an exciting time for B2B brands and their marketing teams. They are relying on agency partners to combine deep commercial insight and creativity to help drive performance. We are looking forward to being part of a network that understands the importance of creativity in the B2B space, and will allow us to offer our clients even greater access to expertise and scale, to build brands and drive sales internationally.”
According to the statement, Octopus Group, which is currently based in Farringdon, London, will move to Publicis Groupe UK’s offices in Chancery Lane. It will sit alongside other agencies, including Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett and Digitas.
