Creston steps up US acquisition drive

Creston, the marketing services company that owns Delaney Lund Knox Warren, has appointed Steve Blamer (pictured left), the former chief executive and president of FCB Worldwide, to spearhead a US acquisition drive.

Blamer, who will be chief executive of Creston Holdings US, will report to group chief executive Don Elgie (pictured right) and will be charged with finding suitable acquisitions in the US.

Blamer says that “it is the perfect time” for Creston to launch into the US and he adds that it offer an alternative to entrepreneurial companies that are not just looking to “cash out and leave” or to sell to large holding companies.

Elgie adds that Creston has “every reason to believe” that it can duplicate its UK model in the US.

Blamer left FCB last summer after just nine months following the network’s merger with IPG-owned Draft. He was one of the architects of the merger plans. Prior to joining FCB, Blamer was chief executive of Grey Worldwide North America. He was with the network for 17 years including a spell as chief executive of Grey London.

Creston was created in 2001 and has 10 UK-based marketing services companies spanning advertising, public relations, digital marketing, market research and direct marketing.