Engine Group continues expansion with 4m KES acquisition

The Engine Group, which owns advertising agency WCRS, has bought sponsorship agency Karen Earl Sponsorship (KES) from Media Square in a £4m deal.

KES provides strategic consultancy through and sponsorship activation for clients including Coca Cola, British Airways, Guinness and Aviva.

The acquisition is the third investment made by the group this year as it continues to extend its breadth of marketing and consultancy services. The move is part of a broader strategy to transform the business into one of the largest communications groups in the UK over the next three years.

The Engine network now comprises 10 partner companies, including WCRS and other marketing services businesses such as Personal and Woo.

Peter Scott (pictured), chief executive of Engine, says: “Rapid changes in the media landscape have increased clients’ interest in programme content and engaging with customers’ passions across sport, music and the arts.”

He adds that the latest acquisition will enable Engine to develop synergies with its existing network of partner companies across digital, public affairs, events and direct marketing.