WRG Acquires Serious Events in Hong Kong to Continue Global Expansion

Nov. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- WRG Creative Communication, the No. 1 rated agency, has acquired Hong Kong-based Serious Events, to gain a foothold in China, the world’s second-largest economy.

Formed in 1996, Serious Events is a leading event management agency, working alongside global fashion and luxury brands across Asia including Chanel, LVMH, Cartier, Tiffany and Diageo. The agency, formerly known as Serious Staging, also has corporate clients including Goldman Sachs, Bosch and Philips.

The acquisition extends WRG’s sector expertise and geographical reach, adding Hong Kong to its list of offices, which also includes London, Manchester, Abu Dhabi, Doha and New York.

WRG produces some of the world’s largest events, including the G20 Summit and the Papal State Visit to the UK. WRG was also involved in the highly acclaimed Olympic Torch Relay, as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

WRG was last week voted No. 1 in the RAR (Recommended Agency Register) list of Top 100 agencies for 2012.

A year ago, UK mid-market private equity firm, LDC, invested in WRG to support a UK and international buy-and-build strategy. The acquisition of Serious Events is the second in four months, following on from the purchase of Canyon in July, a Manchester-based live communication agency with expertise in the retail, hair & beauty, financial services and automotive sectors.

The latest acquisition strengthens the ability of WRG to support and service its international clients on a global basis.  

Barry Day, Chief Executive Officer at WRG, said: “We are delighted, as a result of acquiring such a highly respected agency, to be able to offer our clients and prospective clients, exceptional support with their live marketing within the fast growing Asian marketplace and particularly within China. The acquisition of Serious Events is a further demonstration of our commitment to becoming the leading partner to global brands in the field of live communication.

“I am also delighted to be welcoming the team at Serious Events to the WRG family, the strength of our combined talents gives us enormous power to further expand our joint suite of services, clients and geographical reach.”

David Rule founder of Serious Events said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity for the Serious Event team, as access to WRG’s expertise will better serve our clients as well as create a sophisticated presence in Asia.

“With the strength of WRG behind us, we will be able to accelerate our growth into China and the wider Asian market.”

Serious Events will continue to use its current name under the WRG Group banner and the business has appointed Cliff Zenker from within WRG as General Manager with immediate effect. David Rule will continue to work closely with the business he founded and will support Cliff in the management of key account relationships.

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For Further information please contact:

Barry Day
CEO, WRG Creative Communication
barry.day@wrg.uk.com
0845 313 0000
or Rick Guttridge, Smoking Gun PR +44 161 839 1986, +44 7887 942926
About WRG Creative Communications

WRG Creative Communications (“WRG”) is an independent experiential agency specialising in integrated marketing and events with offices in the UK, the USA, and the Middle East.

WRG has experienced impressive growth since its establishment in 2005 and in 2011 secured investment from leading mid-market private equity firm LDC to support a buy-and-build strategy and further international expansion, particularly in the emerging key markets of central and eastern Asia.

The fast-growing firm is headquartered in Manchester with additional UK offices in London and High Wycombe, and overseas bases in New York, Abu Dhabi and Doha, Qatar. It employs over 140 permanent staff – including event producers, art directors, designers, marketing specialists, film producers and editors, together with an international bank of specialist freelance professionals.

WRG designs, produces and delivers highly innovative live and brand communication for a breadth of global blue chip clients. It specialises in product launches, summits, ceremonies, live broadcasts, bespoke installations and marketing services, including creative design, branding consultancy, web-services and film & digital services.

The company has deep and broad sector experience, particularly in pharmaceuticals, IT and energy. WRG is also renowned for having conceived, produced and delivered globally televised live events such as the G20 Summit in 2009 and the 2010 Papal visit.

Jim Faulds, founder of Scottish marketing firm The Faulds Group, is Non-Executive Chairman and Michael Grade, the former BBC Chairman a Non-Executive Director.