Dentsu Aegis Network announced today its acquisition of Edinburgh-based digital creative agency, Whitespace. Whitespace is one of Scotland’s leading and most awarded agencies with an extensive client list that includes Sainsbury’s Bank, Aegon and the Scottish Government.

With expertise in brand strategy, digital production, content and integrated campaigns spanning mobile, augmented reality and virtual reality, the acquisition will accelerate Dentsu Aegis Network’s creative capability in Scotland and the wider UK market.

As part of the acquisition, Whitespace’s 65-strong team will be amalgamated into Dentsu Aegis network’s northern operations. Joint Managing Partners, Iain Valentine and Phillip Lockwood-Holmes, will continue to lead the business, with the current management team.

Valentine said: “We believe that great creative and effective marketing communication is built on data-driven customer insight; being part of Dentsu Aegis Network will allow us to leverage the most advanced media planning and performance marketing techniques to drive success for our clients.”

The Next Step in Whitespace’s Journey

Dentsu Aegis North employs 640 people across Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Newcastle, providing media, digital, creative, data and technology services for clients such as Thomas Cook and Visit Scotland.

John Mathieson, Chief Operating Officer at Dentsu Aegis Network North commented: “By integrating the digital brand experience and content capability possessed by Whitespace with our existing media, data and tech offering we will be able to develop even more compelling and effective solutions for our clients.”

Rachel McDonald, Managing Director, Dentsu Aegis Network North added: “Scotland remains strategically important for us and this substantial investment in the market will enable us to offer our clients unrivalled capability through an Edinburgh team of 135 people”.

Lockwood-Holmes said: “Over the last 21 years, Whitespace, at every stage and size, has always looked to create the best work. I’m incredibly excited about joining Dentsu Aegis Network, the potential for our team and our clients is fantastic.

“By combining our creative and technical talent with data-driven customer insight, advanced media planning and performance marketing techniques we’re going to create even more stand out work for our clients.”