Global ambitions

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: Interpublic Group has sold a majority of its stake in Australian creative agency 303 MullenLowe and a minority of its stake in sister media agency Mediahub.

The buyer is Attivo NZ, which owns three agencies – Christchurch full-service shop Harvey Cameron, Auckland creative & media agency Farrimond, and screen production agency Gorilla.

Attivo is led by former Ogilvy and DDB exec Cam Murchison, who says he sees the move as the start of a push into Australia. “This will be retained to allow us to tap into global clients and capabilities,” Murchison said.

The deal will double the size of Attivo’s business and give the holding company a presence in Australia for the first time.

Murchison launched Attivo in 2020 as a parent brand to the marketing services group. Attivo offers capabilities in production, shopper, PR, digital marketing and web design in Auckland and Christchurch. The organisation is also looking to add further capabilities as it expands.

“The Australasian group will have strong local knowledge coupled with access to international standards, tools and methodologies.”

“We’ve been looking to make an investment in Australia for the past three years, but knew it needed to be the right investment,” said Murchison.

“We truly believe we’ve found that in 303 MullenLowe and Mediahub. Like us, they have genuinely integrated marketing solutions and a single-minded focus on clients. So, in those respects we already speak the same language.

“I’ve also been incredibly impressed with 303 MullenLowe’s strategic and creative strength. They punch well above their weight, which is a real credit to the team.”

303 MullenLowe’s clients include Budget Direct, Unilever, Audi, Harley Davidson, Crust pizza, HBF and Tourism Fiji.

“This Australasian group will have strong local knowledge coupled with access to international standards, tools and methodologies,” said Murchison.

“What we want to achieve is very simple – we will continue the legacy of these great brands, but through a lens of local ANZ ownership we will invest in the offices, expand services, identify opportunities for collaboration while incentivising the team to achieve their potential and a continuous cycle of growth, on both sides of the Tasman.”