CDG takes over Interface RSCG

Conran Design Group has taken over fellow Havas Advertising-owned literature group Interface RSCG, as part of its drive to offer a broader and stronger portfolio of design services. No money changed hands in the deal. CDG also plans to add product design to the list further down the line.

The consultancy currently offers retail, graphics and new media, with Interface bringing its literature capability to the mix.

Under the arrangement, six-strong Interface will be subsumed into CDG.

The newly-formed 49-strong group will continue to trade as Conran Design Group and be based in a studio in London’s Clerkenwell.

The management team will comprise mainly members of the existing CDG camp, with David Worthington as managing director, Peers de Trense as business development director and David Chaloner as creative director. Former Interface senior art director Richard Peach takes up one of the design director posts, along with CDG design director Michael Thierens.

“[The former] Interface will benefit from the deal by getting a more varied diet and more opportunities for career advancement. CDG will benefit from Interface’s excellence in literature,” says Worthington.

Worthington expects the new incarnation to benefit from the client lists of its constituent groups – which includes Shell, Oasis, BT, Sainsbury’s and Airbus from CDG and Citren from Interface.

Further down the line Worthington does not rule out other link-ups within the Havas network, which includes UK groups Real Time Studio and CGI. An overseas alliance is also possible.

Havas Advertising is part of the French-based Havas Group, the fifth biggest media group in the world. It has interests in television, multimedia, publishing and marketing services.

See News Analysis, page 8