SERIOUS, the Belfast-based PR agency found more than a decade ago by former journalist David McCavery, is to merge with Beattie, one of the UK’s largest integrated communications agencies.
The merger will create Beattie Ireland, and the company says it is targeting 20 new jobs.
The agency will provide integrated communications services to the whole of Ireland with the opening of an office in Dublin to complement the existing Serious office in Belfast which was established in 2007.
Serious - which has won a host of national awards for its creative, social, digital and PR campaigns - is regarded as one of Ireland’s leading B2B and reputation management agencies while Beattie, established 34 years ago, operates across consumer, B2B and crisis management.
McCavery, who will become managing director of Beattie Ireland, said: “Our aim is to establish ourselves as Ireland’s premier integrated communications agency offering PR, digital, social, content and creative as joined-up marketing services.
“We have big plans for development. We aim to create six new posts in Dublin and Belfast within six months of launch and then a further 14 roles over the next three years to bring our total number of Irish-based employees to 26.”
Clients at launch will include Tesco, Brightwater Recruitment, AG, The National Association of Shopfitters, Cumberland Group and the luxury Lough Erne Resort.
Beattie chief executive Laurna Woods said: “This is our second joint venture. Our first was setting up Beattie Tartan in Canada where, in only two years, we have gone from one office in Victoria to six including Calgary and Toronto. We have similarly ambitious plans for Beattie Ireland.”
Headquartered in London, Beattie has offices in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow with its international network spanning Toronto, Victoria and Vancouver. It employs 130 people and boasts the largest network of any creative agency in the UK.
The newly merged company will be launched on October 1, but strong links are already being forged between the 50-strong Beattie team in Glasgow and McCavery’s Irish operation, with collaborative working and employee desk swaps.
Beattie Scotland director Joanne Spence said: “We have already plugged David’s people into our digital and PR studio in Glasgow, providing them with access to our specialist retail, travel, property, food and healthcare teams.
“It’s a partnership made in heaven and, under David’s leadership, we’re looking forward to building the Beattie brand in Ireland.”
