Brave Bison has announced the acquisition of Engage Digital Partners in a significant £11 million deal.
- This strategic purchase aims to enhance Brave Bison’s capabilities in sports marketing and digital engagement.
- Engage Digital Partners is renowned for its innovative fan engagement and digital content strategies.
- The acquisition will expand Brave Bison’s reach with Engage’s global client base including major sports entities.
- Leadership from both companies will collaborate to drive future growth in the sports and entertainment sector.
In a landmark decision, Brave Bison is set to acquire Engage Digital Partners for £11 million. This acquisition is aimed at advancing Brave Bison’s foothold in the sports marketing world, leveraging Engage’s expertise in fan engagement and digital strategies. Engage is celebrated for collaborating with high-profile clients such as Formula 1, ICC, Real Madrid, and New Zealand Rugby.
Engage Digital Partners offers a broad range of services that include digital content creation, commercial strategy, social media management, and analytics through its proprietary technology. Founded by CEO Gregg Oldfield, the company emerged from a management buyout of Endemol Sport in 2012 and now boasts a significant global presence with offices across London, Australia, and India.
The integration of Engage into Brave Bison’s operations promises to deliver 24/7 service to clients worldwide, enhancing the company’s strategic perspective and client service across various hubs in the UK, US, Europe, and Singapore. The synergies from this acquisition are expected to benefit partners from sports federations and rights holders, focusing on personalized audience engagement and commercial partnerships.
The deal also involves merging Engage with the Brave Bison Media Network. This strategic partnership will broaden Brave Bison’s sports and entertainment offering, extending services in channel and rights management to leading sports events like the PGA Tour and the US Open. The result is a robust Sports and Entertainment division with pro-forma turnover projected at £16 million.
Leadership roles have been clearly defined in the newly formed entity. Gregg Oldfield will remain CEO of Engage, with Casey Harwood as the chief business officer. They will work closely with Brave Bison’s Adam Raw and Martin Ruffell to drive growth and strategic initiatives. In Australia and India, local leadership will continue under executives Emma Kinlon and Umang Uthappa respectively.
This acquisition is expected to bolster Brave Bison’s ability to provide advanced digital solutions to sport and entertainment brands, leveraging emerging channels and technology. SocialChain, Brave Bison’s creative and strategy agency, will play a crucial role in this endeavor, enhancing audience engagement through innovative social media strategies.
The vision from Brave Bison includes driving revenue growth and expanding client services through the combined expertise of both companies. Oli Green, executive chairman at Brave Bison, remarks on the potential this merger holds for maximizing intellectual property and boosting fan interaction through a data-driven approach. Meanwhile, Engage’s CEO, Gregg Oldfield, expresses enthusiasm for the growth opportunities this union offers across marketing channels.
The acquisition of Engage Digital Partners by Brave Bison marks a significant expansion in their sports marketing capabilities, promising innovative solutions for global clients.
