Visual Communications And Brand Development Agency For Sale

Business description

Established in 1993, this London creative agency has built up a reputation for excellence in print and digital design as well as a track record of strong profit levels. It has developed a talented team and has forged lengthy relationships with a large number of major business and organisations.

The consultancy offers a range of marketing and design services that help its clients achieve a competitive edge and enhance their marketing and visual communications needs. It specialises in the following areas:

? brand identity creation and development,
? digital and online design and programming,
? campaign creation and implementation,
? design for print including brochures, annual reviews and information design,
? print and information design,
? brand implementation for live events.

In terms of corporate identities the agency has designed and developed dynamic and engaging brands and visual identities for numerous organisations, product launches and events. Their rigorous approach and commitment to research results has consistently lead to solutions that help their clients communicate their offering to their audiences more efficiently and effectively.

The digital aspect of the agency's work allows them to create integrated solutions for their clients communications briefs synchronising all brand touchpoints. Their work maximises the available channels building high impact, intuitive user experiences that simultaneously provide improved visibility and leave a positive brand impression with the audiences.

This integrated approach also encompasses design for print including corporate, CSR and results reporting, brochures and awareness materials such as posters, and leaflets for campaigns and product launches. Their work also extends to set and signage design and production for live events and annual general meetings.

The business employs a highly skilled team of cross-platform designers and marketing professionals who have the responsibility of ensuring the agency's work is of the highest creative standard. They work closely with clients, explaining the process and building up strong, lasting relationships that are the bedrock to impressive client retention figures over the 18 years the business has been running. This approach to client relationships has meant that the agency is generally competing for projects with much larger competitors. It has won those projects and contracts by offering and delivering a comparable service with larger organisations whilst keeping to a very competitive pricing structure.

The agency has worked across a broad range of sectors – both public and private. Their work takes in the music, film and entertainment industries, the arts, transport, agri-businesses, the petrochemicals industry, the transport sector and local government.

Customer Service:

Excellent use of modern communication channels with clients has proven to be vital to the success of the business. The team use social networking sites as part of their own marketing to regularly update and on occasion service clients. A multi-channel approach is used to highlight latest projects as well as showcasing their skills in the very latest online community marketing techniques.

The team thoroughly enjoy working for this company and take great pride in delivering a first class service. Their determination is obvious and is greatly appreciated by their many customers.

Key Strengths:

• The business is able to match larger competitors both in terms of quality of offering, creativity and effectiveness of results.

• A smaller team and an emphasis on building long term relationships helps to provide a more personal service and ultimately makes clients feel more valued.

• The business does not have the large overheads that are adversely affecting bigger agencies at this time and this has proven to be vital in allowing the business to continue to prosper over the last couple of years.

• In the current climate, the agency is well positioned to win larger contracts as the public sector retracts and looks to more agile agencies to provide value for money.

Financial Information:

The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.

Turnover is circa £773, 000, gross profit is circa £519,000 and adjusted net profit is circa £150,000.

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Lease terms:

There is four years remaining on the current lease with a mutual break available in August 2012. Annual rent is £35,000 and rates are £10,000.

Location:

The business operates from offices in a fashionable part of central London. The premises are approx 2000 sq.ft, occupying two floors and include an open plan office, meeting rooms and storage area.

There is four years remaining on the current lease with a mutual break available in August 2012. Annual rent is £35,000 and rates are £10,000.

Business Operation

Expansion potential:

Success across the lifespan of the agency to date has largely been achieved through word of mouth, client referrals and high levels of repeat business through excellent client retention statistics. Recent targetted marketing activity has generated interest, created several new leads and resulted in credentials pitches with potential new clients in the telecommunications and financial services sectors. Simultaneously the agency has maintained its comprehensive search and sign-up to both government and private sector tender opportunities and has a thorough and expansive process for tender response documents for implementation as and when it feels the opportunities are appropriate.

The business has worked on a number of public sector projects, but acquiring ISO9001 would make a big difference as it would allow the business to become a preferred supplier for a number of potential customers.

Competition / Market:

The business, like many in the world of advertising and marketing, is able to effectively harness the enormous influence that social networking can deliver. This is a very inexpensive option and the agency has been using these interactive channels to enhance its profile and status in the London design market. The consultancy advertises via blogs and industry portfolio portals that are read and used by many existing and potential clients.

Reasons for selling:

After eighteen years building this dynamic, creative agency the owners are planning to emigrate with their children.

Trading hours:

Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm

Employees:

The business employs eight full time staff. The team is made up of six designers, an office manager and a project manager.

Years established:

1993

Other information

Support & training:

All necessary training and a full handover are available to ensure continuity of trading.