6 October 2008

Aegis Group plc

Aegis invests in sustainability with acquisition of Clownfish

Aegis Group plc ("Aegis"), the marketing communications group, today announces the acquisition of Clownfish, a pioneer in the field of sustainability for brands.  The value of the gross assets acquired is £0.5m.

Founded in 2002, Clownfish specialises in working with brands and businesses to understand how sustainability can improve business performance and how to communicate initiatives authentically.  Clownfish is unique in combining deep technical understanding of sustainable business practices with brand and communications expertise. This enables it to advise clients on how to engage their stakeholders authentically in the sustainability journey.   Its services include stakeholder evaluation, strategies to embed sustainability in the business, implementation of sustainable business processes throughout the supply chain and brand and corporate marketing communications programmes.  

Clownfish has a number of proprietary tools, including STEER, a self-assessment tool that helps identify the risks and opportunities for brands engaging in the sustainability agenda. It enjoys close relationships with NGOs, other organisations and thought-leaders in the sustainability field.

Clownfish and Aegis Media already work in close partnership, for clients including Coca-Cola, Reebok and Beiersdorf. Other Clownfish clients include Unilever, Stoneyfield Farm and Tesco. Clownfish has offices in London and New York and will open in Shanghai in November.  

Within Aegis Media, Clownfish will become part of Isobar, the world's leading digital agency network. This reflects Aegis Media's vision of the emergent marketing model as well as the importance of digital and sustainability solutions for business and marketing communications and the clear relationship between these two areas.

Robert Lerwill, ceo of Aegis, said:

"Clownfish is a highly strategic investment for Aegis in a high potential space. We know the Clownfish team well, and respect both their approach and the results they get. This acquisition will better help our clients, by linking marketing communications and sustainability in a robust and meaningful way. It is also a key plank in our own sustainability strategy, demonstrating our corporate commitment to an important area."

For further information contact:

Charlotte Elston / Hannah Bailey

Aegis Group plc

+44 (0) 20 7070 7708 / 7725

Charles Palmer
Financial Dynamics
+44 (0) 20 7831 3113

Samantha Maskill

Clownfish

+44 (0)20 7780 7033

www.aegisgroupplc.com

www.isobar.net

www.clownfish.co.uk

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