GrowthOps adds to local agency portfolio, acquiring Australian PR firm, Forward
GrowthOps has acquired consumer public relations agency Forward, to expand its earned media, influencer marketing, brand social content and activation capabilities for its clients in Australia and the APAC region.
The recently B Corp certified agency joins GrowthOp’s growing agency portfolio, which includes AJF Partnership, Khemistry, Penso and Go Digital.
Forward founder Fergus Kibble and GrowthOps CEO Clint Cooper
Forward was founded in 2012 by Fergus Kibble, following years of client-side experience in senior marketing roles at Unilever, Kellogg and Bristol Myers, alongside time spent as a brand and digital strategist at Leo Burnett in London, Sydney and Tokyo, and as general manager at WPP’s Hill+Knowlton Strategies Australia.
Kibble will continue to lead the agency as managing director, key senior client counsel and communications strategist. As a member of the GrowthOps leadership team, he will also contribute to the expansion of GrowthOps’ services across Australia and throughout the region.
Of the acquisition, Kibble said: “Forward turned ten last year, so the time seems right to take this major step in achieving our agency’s growth ambition by joining one of Australia’s fastest-growing independent growth experience groups. I am incredibly proud of our high-calibre team, and this move represents recognition of their significant achievements, capabilities and strength.”
He added: “I am excited about the future possibilities that GrowthOps and Forward can create and the potential to scale and deliver innovative solutions and competitive advantage for our clients. There is strong alignment in the vision and values between our organisations. I am looking forward to working with Clint and the rest of the GrowthOps leadership team.”
GrowthOps chief executive officer Clint Cooper was “thrilled” to have Forward join the “GrowthOps’ stable”, which he said would enhance the group’s ability to “to offer our clients end-to-end integrated creative, digital and earned campaigns”.
“The acquisition is another important milestone as we realise a new stage of growth for the group. It follows the expansion of our digital capabilities and reach into the Middle East just over a year ago with the acquisition of digital strategy consultancy, Penso,” he added.
GrowthOps first commenced on its acquisition trajectory when it listed on the ASX in 2017, adding AJF Partnership alongside seven other acquisitions including creative agency Khemistry, branding agency Voodoo Creative along with other digital service providers.
AJF has recently undergone a number of changes, undertaking a restructure under new managing director Con Frantzeskos, as the agency shifts away from a traditional creative approach to be increasingly digitally-focused.
Changes undertaken by Frantzeskos in November saw around 10 redundancies made, while at the same time founder Adam Francis took a step back from the day to running of the agency to focus on his responsibilities as executive creative director. November also the exit of co-founder Andrew Foote and ECD Josh Stephens, with the Stephen’s role last month filled by Scott Walker, who returns to Sydney after multiple decades working abroad.
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Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
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