Loewy moves into public sector in merger deal with 'The Team'

Loewy’s latest merger with celebrated brand communications consultancy The Team brings public sector brilliance to the fast-growing creative agency network.

Creative champion Loewy and premier-league brand communications consultancy The Team have today signed on a deal that promises exciting new partnership opportunities in the burgeoning public sector market, which is strong and thriving.

The Team’s award-winning expertise and leadership in public sector brand marketing and communications consultancy brings new openings for Loewy while securing The Team business growth opportunities on a grander scale.

The merging of The Team with Loewy is a further step in the agency network’s journey to build a modern creative powerhouse defined by a first class design reputation. Industry legends such as Williams Murray Hamm have already signed up to the cause.

Loewy CEO Charlie Hoult says: “We are delighted to welcome The Team to the Loewy family. We cherish our world class design heritage, the line of which is continued with this merger. It marks an important milestone on our journey to build a hybrid group with creative excellence at its core.

“The Team adds depth and breadth to the Loewy offer, taking our expertise into the public sector arena and expanding our consultancy offers. We offer The Team opportunities on a grander scale. It’s an excellent fit. The Team is all about award-winning branding, demonstrable design brilliance and communication excellence – watchwords of the Loewy manifesto,” explains Hoult.

Hoult continues: “This is a timely deal for both parties; government’s drive to improve public services for the citizen means that continuous change sustains the need for inspirational consumer brand engagement and effective marketing communications.”

The Team, whose clients include the NHS, London2012, English National Ballet, RNIB, Metropolitan Police, London Development Agency and Big Lottery Fund, works across the full gamut of public services including departments of Education, Health, Work and Pensions, Trade and Industry, Transport, Home Office and Culture.

It also works with responsible private sector brand leaders including Astra Zeneca, BAA, BP, Canon, LloydsTSB, Microsoft, Vodafone and 3M providing brand, marketing, digital and internal communications consultancy

The Team boasts an impressive trophy cabinet; it was officially ranked number two corporate identity specialist in the 2005 Design Week top 100; number one for design effectiveness in the public sector, has achieved the second most finalist and winner outcomes (nine) in the Design Business Association Effectiveness Awards since 2000 and is number four in its all time rankings.

One of the attractions of The Team is its strong management team who are also shareholders in the business. The company’s broad based partnership structure will enable Loewy to deliver a complete portfolio of creatively focused change consulting services. Each of The Team’s five brand communication practices are led by a Client Partner – a recognised former client side specialist, at the top of their profession who are supported by a Creative and Commercial Partner, MD and non-executive Chairman.

The Team’s MD Julian Grice, says: “In Loewy we believe we have found a business that has a breadth of complementary experience and resources and importantly, cultural synergies - the fit is perfect. This merger will enable The Team to capitalise further on our excellent market position and reputation, maximise business opportunities and realise the next stage of our growth potential. Our strategy for growth is founded on our desire to extend our reputation in public services into new sectors, new services and new territories and Loewy’s international heritage and ambition provides the ideal win-win platform.

“We are confident The Team will be a key vehicle for Loewy to expand its public sector offering into marketing services enabling us to create a strong bridgehead into a rewarding and prized sector so we can all make a difference to the quality of people’s lives,” adds Grice.

The Team brings with it a staff of 60, made up of 4 communities of specialists in the form of consulting, design, client services and technicians.

The Team will remain at its Southwark headquarters, conveniently placed for Whitehall.