Leo Burnett, part of the Publicis Groupe has bought digital agency Airlock for an undisclosed sum.
This is the second digital acquisition announcement from Leo Burnett in 2011, following the purchase of Holler, the Social and Media specialists, announced in February.
The Airlock brand will become part of the Leo Burnett Group in the UK.
Airlock, a leading digital engagement agency, specialising in multi-platform creative, design and build, brings a team with an outstanding track record of creative digital execution into Leo Burnett.
Airlock is an Emmy, Webby, BIMA and IAB award-winning agency, based in London.
Founded in 2001, Airlock’s clients include the BBC, Channel 4, NBC Universal and Wrangler.
Airlock will continue to be headed by its current leadership: Managing Director, Will Lebens; Charlie Martin, Creative Director; Joseph Denne, Technical Director and Chris Mair, Strategy Director, reporting into Leo Burnett’s Group Chief Digital Officer, Marc Giusti.
Airlock’s team of digital specialists further strengthens Leo Burnett’s rapidly-expanding digital capabilities,
bringing the number of digital specialists in the UK Leo Burnett Group to more than 85.
Andrew Edwards, Group Chairman and CEO, Leo Burnett said: “Leo Burnett UK’s digital operations have been gaining a very nice momentum over the past months. Today’s
acquisition of Airlock not only further strengthens our offer, but more importantly, it represents an important investment in creativity and innovation for our clients.”
Marc Giusti, Group Chief Digital Officer, Leo Burnett said: “We spent a lot of time last year searching for the right digital talent for our clients. The Airlock team have the same hunger to do the big creative work we want to do and are being asked to do.”
Will Lebens, Managing Director, Airlock said: “We’ve been approached by agencies many times before but the chemistry never felt right.
As soon as we met the team at Leo Burnett, it was clear from the start that we shared a common outlook and a vision for the future. This move gives our people access to an
amazing array of clients, to deliver creativity, innovation and technology on a much larger scale.”
www.airlock.com
www.leoburnett.co.uk