Transaction overview
We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our latest transaction, advising McCann Worldgroup on the sale of its Australian operations to Ben Lilley. Former agency CEO Ben Lilley will take ownership of Interpublic Group’s McCann Australia.
The agency will still have access to the parent company through affiliate status but will operate independently in Australia. The acquisition will include SMART, McCann Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and its PR business The Red Republic. Ciesco acted as the exclusive financial advisor to McCann Worldgroup.
About McCann Worldgroup
McCann Worldgroup, part of the Interpublic Group, is a leading global marketing services company with 24,000 employees in more than 100 countries, comprising McCann Erickson, MRM//McCann, Momentum Worldwide, McCann Health, CRAFT, UM, Weber Shandwick, FutureBrand, ChaseDesign and PMK-BNC. Interpublic is one of the world’s leading organisations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include BPN, CRAFT, FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding), FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, MAGNA GLOBAL, McCann, Momentum, MRM//McCann, MullenLowe Group, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick.
Client testimonials
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"We are delighted to have advised McCann Worldgroup on this successful transaction. Australia continues to be a powerhouse for creativity representing outstanding blue-chip clients, domestic and international brands. The McCann group companies in Australia have built an integrated offering. Those capabilities have now transitioned into new management and direction led by Ben Lilley to build further momentum in the marketplace."
"Ben’s deep knowledge of the Australian market combined with his experience in working closely with the McCann network positions this new partnership very well to succeed in Australia’s evolving market. We look forward to the creative energy and vision that he will be bringing back to the agency and its clients."