Alan Cox, Chief Executive, Core Media Group
Core Media is to take over ZenithOptimedia in Ireland in a deal that will see its billings rise to in excess of €170m per annum, securing its position as the largest media communications group in the Irish market.
While ZenithOptimedia, which is owned by Publicis Groupe, worked closely with Core Media as part of its day-to-day trading operations, it operated as a stand-alone business with a separate management structure, P&L and reported into ZenithOptimedia in London.
Under the new arrangement, Core Media will take on the franchise of the ZenithOptimedia brand in Ireland. ZenithOptimedia is one of the strongest media brands in the world with over 7,400 people working in 262 offices across 74 countries. Clients of the Irish agency include Bacardi-Martini, Reckitt Benckiser, Molson Coors, SCA, eOne Films, Focus Ireland and The National Dairy Council.
Commenting on the announcement, Alan Cox, Chief Executive, Core Media Group, said “ZenithOptimedia is a highly respected company that we know well and we have worked closely with for many years. We are looking forward to strengthening this relationship and working with the team in the UK to grow the business. We have exciting plans for the future of ZenithOptimedia and we look forward to announcing these in the coming months.”
Belinda Rowe, Global Managing Partner and UK Chairman, ZenithOptimedia, said: “We have worked with Core Media Group for several years and have been hugely impressed by their expertise and command in the Irish market. The formal appointment of the group to run our franchise in Ireland is testament to this relationship and we believe it will enable ZenithOptimedia Ireland to go from strength to strength.”
The deal sees the number of businesses and brands within the Core stable rise to ten. These include Clear Blue Water, Core Knowledge, Ignite Research, Livewire, MediaVest, Mediaworks, Publicis Engage, Radical, Starcom and now ZenithOptimedia.
