Creative Content Production Company CreativeDrive Acquires Zebra Worldwide

Independent global content production company CreativeDrive has acquired Zebra Worldwide in the next stage of its growth as an international powerhouse of creative production. The acquisition combines CreativeDrive’s network of over 150 studios in the U.S., Latin America, Asia and Europe with Zebra’s impressive portfolio of video and content production and localisation offices across London, Paris, Cape Town, Kiev and Sydney. Clients include Walmart, Hilton, Hewlett Packard, Home Depot, Estee Lauder, Kate Spade, Coach, Michael Kors, and Asics. Zebra Worldwide clients include: Reckitt Benckiser, Hilton, Ryobi Powertools, Hotels.com.

Zebra Worldwide will retain its identity in the short-term, eventually transitioning to become CreativeDrive EMEA in the coming months. Zebra Worldwide CEO and founder Luke Hammersley will become CreativeDrive EMEA CEO, reporting to CreativeDrive’s Global CEO, Myles Peacock. Nic Franklin becomes Creative Director and MD, Cape Town.  Sarah Rose has been promoted from Finance Director to COO, EMEA. Additional leadership roles within the newly merged companies will be announced shortly.

With the recent acquisition of PIA – an award winning top tier US-based motion and sound company, the company has a global world-class motion and sound offering that brings together brand awareness and commerce. The Zebra acquisition further solidifies CreativeDrive’s position as the leader of independent creatively engaging content production and localisation.

CreativeDrive Global CEO Myles Peacock., said: “Zebra’s ability to deliver world class video and content production through their global teams and powerful localisation platform addresses brands’ insatiable need for content that is customised for specific regions and cultures. The entire Zebra Worldwide team is a natural fit to both our existing culture and our mission to continuously challenge the status quo by consistently producing high-quality content with unparalleled speed and scale.”

“The value we have created at Zebra over the last 13 years is rooted in the shared efforts, high standards and a premium on client service, as well as a desire to punch above our weight every day. To see that value realised through this acquisition is a proud moment, not only because it creates opportunity for our people but also the new depth of service it brings to clients. The move we are making into CreativeDrive is further disruption to the status quo in our industry,” said CreativeDrive EMEA CEO Luke Hammersley.

“We are now consultants, content strategists, creatives and producers working as one company, at scale – changing the way marketers make content. Working as one unit with CreativeDrive we’ve already taken several clients off traditional players and it’s proving a powerful proposition.  Independent, with global reach, massive studios to work in and 1000+ fellow creative production experts. The brands we have spoken to are already excited as it further encourages them to think differently. We are pitching as content agency of record. It’s new and it’s different.”

Zebra were supported on the deal by accountants Kingston Smith – the same firm who managed the adam&eveDDB deal, led by Partner Ian Graham and Lawyers, Temple Bright, led by James Vickerman.

Source: CreativeDrive

  Business, Content, CreativeDrive, Marketing, Mergers & Acquisitions, Production, Zebra Worldwid