International advertising agency network, M&C Saatchi, on Friday announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Creative Spark.
Not many may know about Creative Spark but their works are well known. Creative Spark is the digital agency behind Ventureburn, Memeburn, Motorburn and Jobsburn. All these brands are under the Burn Media brand.
Founded five years ago by Matthew Buckland, Creative Spark currently has more than 40 employees with offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Its annual revenue is approximately R20-million. Birthed as a web development shop, Creative Spark has expanded into a full service digital agency with a specialisation in digital strategy, content marketing, social media and web, mobile and app development.
Both parties have not disclosed the amount involved in the deal but it is being rumoured that it is in the neighbourhood of R50 million.
However it is confirmed that M&C Saatchi PLC has acquired a controlling stake and that Buckland will retain a stake in the company.
Under the terms of the deal, Creative Spark will continue to operate as a standalone digital agency with its Johannesburg offices based at M&C Saatchi Abel — the network’s award-winning African offering, headed by Mike Abel.
According to M&C Saatchi, the deal is designed to bolster the network’s digital offerings in South Africa.
“With the growing trend of ‘Integrated Agencies’, the tie up locally between M&C Saatchi Abel and Creative Spark helps ensure that digital is a core pillar of the marketing, advertising and publishing conversation,” said M&C Saatchi CEO Moray MacLennan.
“Both agencies will now be able to add even more value to their existing clients in offering world class marketing solutions,” he added. “I think it’s a powerful relationship that is already reaping dividends for both companies”
