WPP Acquires Branding Agency Passport to Expand Creative and Design Offerings
October 06 2022 - 8:45AM
Business Wire
WPP (NYSE: WPP) today announces the acquisition of Passport
Brand Design, a leading brand design agency based in Southern
California.
Founded in 2004 by Natalie Taormina and Jeremy Creighton,
Passport brings extensive brand identity, design expertise and
insight into WPP and works across a broad range of consumer
categories and global markets, spanning Australia and Asia to North
America.
Passport has developed a reputation for creating highly
impactful, innovative and results-driven campaigns for clients such
as Coca-Cola, Kraft and Heineken. The agency will join VMLY&R’s
global network, creating exciting new partnership opportunities for
existing talent and clients and expanding VMLY&R’s presence in
the West Coast region.
Passport will enhance client experiences and WPP’s ability to
continue delivering client services with integrated solutions. The
acquisition is part of WPP’s accelerated growth strategy and
focused M&A approach to advance its core creative capabilities
in marketing, communications and design.
Eric Campbell, VMLY&R Global President, said: “Our
ambitions for network growth reflect the best-in-class range of
capabilities we continually offer our clients. This move will
expand our network’s brand design expertise, which is essential in
determining how brands visually show up in compelling new ways in
the world and build a connected consumer experience.”
Natalie Taormina, CEO of Passport, added: “It is a great
honor to join a global team of passionate branding and business
experts. Nearly twenty years ago, we founded Passport on the
mission that great creative output is a result of a great team
connection and respect. When the agency is happy, the client is
happy. VMLY&R shares this ethos, and with the strength of its
global network and WPP’s vision, Passport intends to continue that
mission.”
Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “With consumer expectations
at an all-time high, defining a brand’s characteristics and
identity has a major impact on its ability to succeed in today’s
world. Passport brings extensive experience in delivering strategic
positioning and creative execution across all touchpoints that will
greatly benefit our clients. I’m delighted to welcome its people to
WPP.”
About WPP
WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of
creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients
and communities. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.
About VMLY&R
VMLY&R is a global brand and customer experience agency that
harnesses creativity, technology, and culture to create connected
brands. Named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global
Marketing Agencies for five consecutive years, VMLY&R is made
up of more than 13,000 employees worldwide with principal offices
in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai,
Singapore and Sydney. The agency is behind award-winning campaigns
for blue-chip client partners including Colgate-Palmolive, Danone,
Dell, Ford, Intel, New Balance, Pfizer and Wendy's. For more
information, visit www.vmlyr.com. VMLY&R is a WPP company
(NYSE: WPP).
About Passport Brand Design
For nearly 20 years, Passport has partnered with those looking
to challenge their category - to create, rebrand and reinvigorate.
From global brands to start-ups, the agency fosters relationships
with those who have a hunger for bold new thinking and partnerships
that can move the needle. Passport Brand Design has worked across
multiple categories, in multiple markets throughout Australia, Asia
and North America. Their team remains flush with extensive
knowledge, insight, and a global perspective.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221005005931/en/
Susie Metnaoui, WPP +44 (0)7557 591 879
susie.metnaoui@wpp.com
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