Zone acquires digital agency Head as the ‘very real challenges of digital’ for brands continues
Zone has bought digital agency Head in the third deal for the agency since it secured a £6m equity investment from BGF in January 2015.
Zone executive chairman James Freedman with Head MD Rebecca Simmonds
The deal will see Head move into Zone’s King’s Cross headquarters, upping the agency’s head count to more than 250 and strengthening its position as the UK’s leading independent digital specialist.
Zone CEO Jon Davie explained to The Drum the agency’s decision to acquire another digital agency amid the uncertain back drop of a post-Brexit economy.
“Head was a very successful independent agency, and we’re delighted that the agency’s senior management team, led by managing director Rebecca Simmonds, is joining Zone. Our business plan is ambitious but not reckless – we’re confident that this is a good deal for both parties, and makes us better placed to meet the digital needs of our clients. The challenges of digital transformation for clients are very real, and Brexit isn’t going to change that.”
The acquisition is the sixth in Zone’s 17-year history. In January 2016, Zone bought conceptbakery, a digital content specialist based in Cologne, Germany, to bolster the agency’s ability to service clients across Europe.
Founded in 2000, Head is a 40-strong digital innovation, UX and technology agency, with clients including Electrolux, Bayer, NHS, Coca-Cola European Partners, Pearson Education and Tesco.