LONDON – OLIVER, the fastest growing independent agency group in the UK, today confirmed that it is to acquire the leading digital agency, Dare. Dare is currently owned by EDC Communications, having originally been sold to the Canadian marketing group, Cossette, in 2007. Under the terms of the acquisition, which is for an undisclosed sum, Dare will remain a standalone agency brand and will operate alongside the OLIVER agency.
All other EDC business and operations remain unaffected.
OLIVER creates dedicated client agencies for companies such as Starbucks, Pepsico, Google and KPMG.
Simon Martin, CEO of OLIVER Group, said of the acquisition, “Dare is an innovator in the digital space, creating hugely engaging digital experiences. We are excited by the possibilities of bringing them into the OLIVER Group and believe the synergies between the two companies innovative mindsets will lead to an exciting future.”
Mark Collier, Non-Executive Chairman of Dare, said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity for Dare to be part of such a progressive and fast growing marketing services group. The OLIVER model is genuinely unique and it is proving to be increasingly attractive to clients, both in the UK and internationally. Dare will now be able to work alongside OLIVER, with access to its global agency resources, whilst remaining an independent brand.”
About OLIVER
Founded in 2004, OLIVER is a leading independent B2B and B2C creative and digital agency, offering a unique, dedicated model that has been embraced by Starbucks, KPMG and Pepsico, amongst others.
With more than 650 staff and offices in London, Dublin, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Singapore, OLIVER’s end-to-end marketing services range from strategy and creative through to web design, digital production and point of sale.
The agency was ranked 10th in the ‘Elite’ category of The Drum’s inaugural Independent Agencies Census in 2014 and was twice featured in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 list of the top 100 fastest growing companies in the UK.
OLIVER’s client roster includes: Starbucks, BMW, Google, KMPG, PepsiCo, 3M, Fred. Olsen, Virgin Holidays, Britvic Soft Drinks, Hasbro, Wesleyan Assurance, Radisson Edwardian and Clarion Events.
Services for B2C and B2B clients include:Brand strategy and planning; broadcast, digital and print production; campaign management; content marketing; creative strategy and execution; creative technology; digital strategy and execution; real-time marketing; social media strategy and management; transcreation and localisation.
About Dare
Dare is a ‘New Digital’ agency which creates experiences people love.
Founded in 2000, its core services include experience planning, platform design and build, product and service development, as well as content.
Dare was named Campaign’s Digital Agency of the Decade and listed by Fast Company as one of their 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World. More recently, it was recognised by its clients at the RAR Digital Awards as the leading agency for Creativity & Innovation.
Dare’s client roster includes Nike, Barclays, Barclaycard, The Foundry, Experian, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Sainsbury’s, Cancer Research UK, Investec, Ryanair and Vision Express.