Blackwood Seven closes London office as it goes all in with AI offering
AI-driven media analytics firm Blackwood Seven has shut its London office after just a year of operation as it enters a period of corporate restructuring.
Blackwood Seven promises to change the media buying scene
The agency said it was closing is UK operation as it moves away from media implementation and goes all in with its SaaS-based AI platform that is designed to increase transparency around marketing spends.
A statement from the agency read: “Our UK vision was never to be a traditional media agency, but to offer advertisers direct access to advanced AI-based comms planning.”
Nick Fox, partner of Atomic London and Bob Wootton, former director of ISBA, will stay on the books as UK advisors. Meanwhile Henrik Busch, company co-founder and managing director, will handle the agency's UK business.
It is believed that the three members of the London office, including Elliot Parkus, UK managing director, are to leave – although discussions are ongoing. There are also reported cuts to the Munich operation although final numbers are still to be confirmed.
Despite the current scenario, the company claims 2017 has been a “strong year with valuable learnings”. In the period it acquired nine clients in the US, including 23&Me, Wish and Atom Ticket. On a wider front, and also tied down HI3G and SunCorp. The company retains a presence in Copenhagen, New York, Los Angeles, Munich, Barcelona and in Silicon Valley.
Blackwood Seven made a splash in the UK market earlier this by promising to increase the transparency of marketing spends for clients.