CLK.MPL buys Brand Futures to lead sector

CLK.MPL has acquired “futures” group The Brand Futures Consultancy from the Grey Communication Group, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition forms part of CLK.MPL’s bid to become “the most innovative brand and design group in Europe”, says chairman Chris Wood.

Brand Futures CLK, as it is now known, was established in 1997 with the aim of helping identify the future potential of brands, and creating an understanding of consumer trends through research and brand development programmes.

Wood believes the addition of Brand Futures CLK will complement CLK.MPL’s existing business and enable further growth. “Since our management buyout three years ago, we have successfully developed an interlocking series of client offers, including product innovations, brand identity, corporate branding, new media and environmental design.

“Now that futures work has become a sector in its own right, it constitutes a perfectly complementary offer to our range of services,” he says.

Brand Futures CLK joint managing directors Clive Cooper and Simon Ratcliffe also acknowledge the importance of combining the two areas. The group currently has six staff, but is likely to make more appointments during the next 12 months.

“We have been impressed by the quality of the people and business thinking at CLK.MPL and look forward to developing a state-of-the-art offer, ” they say. “This is important as we believe futures thinking will become a must have’ ingredient in a client’s armoury.”

CLK.MPL marketing director Peter Sampson does not rule out further acquisitions in the future, but says the group is not making a concerted effort to buy other companies.

“We are not positively looking to grow by acquisition but we are looking to strengthen our offer, which is what we have done with Brand Futures CLK,” says Sampson.