JBE looks to buy design groups

Journey Branding Experience, the newly-formed group consisting of Wagstaffs and Metropolis Design Group, is targeting several other consultancies for acquisition as it looks to nearly double in size.

Former Wagstaffs managing director Steve Puxley, who heads the new organisation with former Wagstaffs colleague Bryan Wilshire, says: “Wagstaffs rebranded and merged with Metropolis. A number of other businesses will be joining Journey within the next two or three months, taking staff numbers from 35 to about 65.”

Former Metropolis managing director Matthew Bright adds: “Journey is a new business start-up. We have broken down all the original ideas and perceptions and created a completely new raison d’être. The core disciplines of retail, on-line and brand creation are well embedded and what we are doing is adding value.”

He believes that Journey’s outlook is part of a need by all branding specialists to view the “complete consumer experience. We are bringing brands to where consumers see them as part of their lifestyle. Consultancies will have to look at the whole consumer experience otherwise they will be treading on thin ice.”

“Significant” expansion plans are also underway for Journey, according to Bright, with a new site already earmarked. “We will be relocating from Pimlico in the next few months to very unusual premises. They are likely to be one of the first self-sufficient premises in London,” he says.

Start the discussionStart the discussion
  • Post a comment

Latest articles