A blog for the New Zealand creative advertising industry, now at www.campaignbrief.com/nz. Email news to: michael@campaignbrief.com

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

IPG CONSOLIDATES NZ BUSINESS - LOWE, RIVET AND DRAFT FCB TO JOIN FORCES

Interpublic Group (IPG) is to consolidate its New Zealand businesses, with a move by Draft FCB, Lowe and Rivet into a shared business hub in Freemans Bay early next year.
Draft FCB New Zealand Chairman and CEO Bryan Crawford said the integration made sense in terms of cultural fit as well as further efficiencies made possible by bringing the businesses together. Each agency would continue to trade under its own brand, but back office functions would be integrated.
Draft FCB’s strong performance meant it had outgrown its current premises in Parnell and is relocating with Lowe and Rivet into larger premises in Wellington Street, Freeman’s Bay, early in the New Year.
Mr Crawford said the move reflected a desire for further business improvement locally and would deliver further benefits to clients while IPG’s CEO Michael Roth was quoted recently in the US as saying “As we look to 2008, we are asking companies across Interpublic with analogous business models to come up with ways to increase efficiencies.”
General Manager of Lowe and Rivet Peter Brown says the move is a very positive one for the agency which had ended the year strongly.
“We now have a solid and sustainable base on which to continue to build the business and believe our clients will benefit from the synergies that will arise from our new shared location,” he said.
The move will mean that Group Chief Executive Lowe and Rivet Australasia Stephen Pearson and Chief Executive Office Rivet Australasia Judy Lewis relinquish their CEO responsibilities for Lowe and Rivet in New Zealand to concentrate on building the Australian businesses.
Mr Pearson said that the re-organisation in New Zealand made sense for each business and IPG as a whole.

21 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Captain of the Titanic commented that the move by passengers and crew from the vessel to her lifeboats was a "very positive one" and expected deaths through drowning and hypothermia to be "a negligible and natural consequence of this exciting development."

The iceberg was unavailable for comment.

6:21 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds similar to what happened to McCann. Put two agencies under one roof then a couple of months down the track, make a press release that it's become one shop. My guess is they are moving in the the old McDonald's HQ?

7:13 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Riveting stuff. Thanks for the lowe down.

7:53 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bryan says it makes sense. And Stephen says it makes sense. But the rest of us can't help but think it makes more cents than sense. In the meantime, the Interpublic guy is worried about analogous business models that don't make cents. Does anyone at Lowe Rivet Draft FCB have any sense at all?

9:52 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

7:53.. you should've seen the first draft.

10:00 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Another Global down in NZ.

Anyone starting to see a trend?

10:08 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love Wellington Street. I flatted with the lady who is now my wife on Wellington St. Honest. At 77. John Dolan was the landlord.

I'm sure Wellington St will result in much happiness.

Bless.

6:52 am NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What does Erin have to say about this? Where is she by the way? Have her and Noel divorced already?

7:46 am NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Two sets of management enter. One set leaves.

It's the first law of Blunderdome.

9:28 am NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does moving to the Macca's building mean they'll be producing campaigns fast food style? The home of junk ads?

11:41 am NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

(Racing Commentator Style:) "...It's been a one horse race so far but at the last turn, Draft FCB races forward from the rest to become a serious threat to the lead, DDB, for Dorkiest Press Release of the Year. Draft FCB is closing the gap...it could still be a photo finish!"

11:28 am NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The old office at Hupetoun St. was one of the best offices for view/ambience etc - sad.

11:57 am NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There's your 800,000 dollar integrated campaign. Would you like fries with that?

12:52 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hear they're changing their name again too. It's going to be McFCB on the new building. Mostly to save money - the M and the C are on the building already. And no, no fries with that thanks.

6:11 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

you guys are so funny - i love reading the blog...makes me feel like i'm actually in advertising

10:43 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My money's with you 11:28. This one's definitely a photo finish with DDB. There are so many people commenting in the release you kinda feel sorry for the only person who didn't - FCB's receptionist. Where are her comments? What did she say? C'mon guys, don't hold out on us.

1:57 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What? M&C are merging with FCB? Huhh?

3:30 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think they mean McFCB - a la McDonald's building. Not M&C.

7:19 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I vote Bryan for Ronald McDonald. Maybe he'll become a ginga.

7:21 pm NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No UDF, I meant M&C will marry Lowe/FCB/Draft. OM for ECD to win McD off DDB ASAP. Snafu, stfu! OMG! Lolz.

11:06 am NZDT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent use of initials. Is McD's up for pitch or soon to be?

12:29 pm NZDT

 

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