PwC sizes up creative agency Thinkerbell for acquisition just two months after launch
Consultancy firm PwC is reportedly in talks with the founders of nine week old creative agency Thinkerbell over a possible acquisition.
Former Cummins & Partners global chief strategy director Adam Ferrier and joint ECDs Jim Ingram and Ben Couzens’ launched the agency at the beginning of June.
Thinkerbell Founders Adam Ferrier, Jim Ingram and Ben Couzens
The trio departed Cummins & Partners in March earlier this year.
The Australian Financial Review is today reporting “well-placed ad industry sources” saying the agency has drawn the attention of Russel Howcroft, chief creative officer at PwC.
A PwC spokesperson shared a statement with Mumbrella saying: “We are always in the market looking for opportunities that make commercial sense and add value to our clients, but we have no news to announce.”
Thinkerbell had not responded to request for comment at the time of publishing.
If a deal took place, it would mark one of the fastest turnarounds from launch to acquisition in Australian agency history.
All of the traditional accounting consultancies have been investing heavily in marketing capabilities as they attempt to diversify their offerings. In May, global professional services company Accenture bought independent creative agency The Monkeys and sister design business Maud, a deal which was later revealed to be worth $63m.
The appetite for independent agency acquisitions was also underlined by this week’s purchase of The Works by RXP.
Abigail Dawson was Mumbrella's senior content journalist covering event content. She left Mumbrella to move into an agency role in 2020.
Linkedin
These guys told people at the agency they were leaving that they wanted to be “bigger shareholders” own their “own thing” be their “own bosses”. And under that veil their partners trusted them to their word. And allowed them to work immediately. And now they are considering being employees again. Is this true to their word?
User ID not verified.
I can’t help and envy their position, but WTF?
User ID not verified.
What are they buying?
The reputation they built at Cummins&Partners?
Because they have no clients to speak of.
User ID not verified.
I’m off to start an agency called ‘Bandwagon’ with some Award Winning Creatives and give KPMG a bell.
User ID not verified.
Exactly my thoughts!
User ID not verified.
how to avoid garden leave/non compete
User ID not verified.
Dear The Truth is,
The reasons for their leaving C&P were genuine and exactly as you state – to be bigger shareholders and to ‘do their own thing’.
And I can guarantee you 100% that any PWC approach (if one has been made) has come after they set-up shop. As for the implied attacks on the guys integrity – you should think very carefully before you start that crap.
User ID not verified.
Hi “assets” tell me more about that good reputation at Cummins&Partners – I’m really interested.
User ID not verified.
Honestly. If this doesn’t prove it’s not what you know, it’s who you know, then I don’t know what is. Blokes buying blokes without any substance or any real return. What a depressing joke (if it’s true)for the rest of us not born with a penis or white skin, who are busting our butts to generate real jobs and real business growth.
User ID not verified.
What are they buying? Ridiculous, if this is true.
User ID not verified.
Russell was Jim and Ben’s boss at GPYR. He knows their talent and capabilities.
User ID not verified.
wat.
User ID not verified.
Who’s been snorting my fairy dust? It can have a hallucinogenic effect.
User ID not verified.
Money talks.
User ID not verified.