Sense boosts operation with Kyzen acquisition

London design and marketing group Sense is to boost its design operation with the acquisition of identity, branding and literature group Kyzen.

The deal goes live on 1 August, when the two groups – both covering the same design disciplines – will move into a new office in London’s Fitzroy Street.

Under the deal, Sense takes complete ownership of Kyzen, with former Kyzen owner Neil Gaught gaining a share in Sense and an undisclosed sum.

Gaught joins the Sense board, alongside its four existing directors and owners, and will act as creative director for both groups.

Meanwhile, Sense managing director Mike Geoghegan will continue to have an above 50 per cent stake in the group.

Initially, the two consultancies will trade as separate companies and retain their existing names.

“In the longer term the two groups may come together and there may be a name change. We would hope to have resolved that by the end of the year, so watch this space,” explains Gaught.

This could result in the second name change for Kyzen in just over a year. Gaught says Kyzen changed its name from Design FX last October to reflect its transition from pure design to embrace strategy as well.

The groups have a combined workforce of 24. The groups’ clients include Reebok, Comet, the AA and Unilever.

Sense marketing director Willie Irvine says the group plans a number of new appointments in the coming months.