Landor acquires US brand group

Branding and strategic design group Landor Associates has broadened its consulting capabilities with the acquisition of Chicago strategic brand specialist St James Associates.

With past and present clients including Hewlett-Packard, Kellogg’s and Dupont, the renamed Landor/ St James has built up an extensive portfolio since its establishment in 1991. The consultancy will continue to operate from its existing offices.

Landor chairman, president and chief executive officer Clay Timon says the international group has been actively looking to widen its strategic offer in the US market for some time, but was wary of the need to find “the right blend of analytical skills and strategic thinking”.

Timon says: “In St James we have found a kindred spirit to Landor – one that is dedicated to enhancing our clients’ competitiveness by linking branding and business strategies, and basing these strategies on a real understanding of the way consumers think,” claims Timon.

St James founder and principal Scott Talgo describes the acquisition as “a great cultural and strategic combination. St James and Landor both believe that the key to long-term business success is not in selling products and services, but in building brands with strong, clearly-defined values which remain consistent, but whose expression can evolve over time to adapt to changing needs.”

Landor UK general manager Charlie Wrench does not rule further expansion in the future. “Landor is interested in exploring opportunities to help develop its offer to clients in the US and elsewhere,” he says.