JEGI CLARITY acted as the sole corporate finance advisor to the shareholders of M&C Saatchi on their sale of 75.1% of walker Media to Publicis Groupe.
Established in 1998 by Christine Walker and Phil Georgiadis as a 50/50 joint venture with M&C Saatchi, Walker Media is one of the leading UK media agencies with annual billings in 2012 of approximately £240 million. It has an extensive list of longstanding relationships with blue chip clients including Marks & Spencer, Dixons Group, KFC, Halfords and Weetabix.
Following the transaction, Walker Media will become part of the ZenithOptimedia Group, owned by Publicis. It will remain as a separate agency in the UK, and will be a key cornerstone of a new global media network that will sit within the ZenithOptimedia Group. The new ZenithOptimedia Group network will be launched in 2014.
The transaction values Walker Media at £48 million with M&C Saatchi retaining at 24.9% stake in the business.
JEGI CLARITY did an excellent job for us. Getting the deal over the line required both cast-iron technical capabilities as well as highly effective communication and negotiation skills. Their advice was always straightforward and to the point. They are a real pleasure to work with and the outcome is a great result for all parties involved.
David Kershaw, CEO, M&C Saatchi