Attinger Jack saved as Robson Brown loses Dreams to Starcom MediaVest
Following the administration of Round 2 Group earlier this week, one of the agencies, Attinger Jack Advertising, has been sold with no redundancies made.
The acquisition has been completed by the senior management through Attinger Jack limited and will see all 17 staff will transfer across as the business aims to continue on as normal.
The agency has been bought out by four members of staff in the previous 48 hours including previous owner, David Attinger, media director Alice Buttling-Smith, Ann Gardiner, client services director and creative director Ann Gardiner who have funded the move using their own collateral.
Since it was placed into administration, Zolfo Cooper has overseen the process over finding buyers for either the whole group, made up of Attinger Jack Advertising Limited, R2 Communications Limited (formerly Austin West Media Limited) and Robson Brown.
Attinger Jack was bought earlier this year by American media company Round 2, which, according to a statement from Robson Brown, leveraged too much debt into the group, leading to its administration.
Kevin Coates, director, Zolfo Cooper said: “We’re pleased to have successfully secured a sale of the company in a way that has safeguarded jobs and allowed the business to continue to trade as normal. We would like to thank staff for their continued professionalism during this difficult period and wish the business the best of luck for the future.”
Meanwhile Robson Brown has lost its grip on the Dreams media business.
The bed retailer has appointed Starcom MediaVest to the account after a pitch which is believed to have involved Robson Brown, following a review which kicked off before the Newcastle agency’s financial woes emerged.
Robson Brown had worked on the Dreams business since 2000.
Speculation yesterday around the North East was that Robson Brown was looking to work with a media buyer for its clients through a partnership with a North West media buyer, with MediaVest thought to be a possibility. As a result of the administration Robson Brown lost its credit insurance and is therefore unable to buy media.