A Birmingham digital agency founded a decade ago by an award-winning entrepreneur has been bought out.
JC Social Media was launched by Jodie Cook in 2011 and provides digital marketing services and training to a broad range of businesses, counting restaurant group Nando's, KP Snacks and estate agency Purplebricks among its client roster.
It has now been acquired by a new venture called Low&Behold which has brought together JC Social Media and several other UK agencies under a single umbrella.
Mrs Cook and her husband Ben, who was also a director of JC Social Media, have now stepped back from day-to-day operations but will continue to act as ambassadors for the new group.
She said: "I had a wonderful time building JC Social Media and working with inspiring people, including fabulous clients and team members.
"We were fortunate to have a great 2020 as many companies moved their marketing budgets into digital so the business grew significantly.
"The bar I set for a buyer was very high and I know we made the right choice with Low&Behold.
"Ben and I are excited to begin our next chapter knowing that the clients and team of 16 are in great hands. If you played any part in our journey since 2011, a huge thank you."
Mrs Cook is a regular speaker and media commentator and was crowned Birmingham Young Professional of the Year in 2014 for her work with the company.
She is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, a published author on business and has created a children's book series with her husband called Clever Tykes which aims to inspire enterprising behaviour among their young readers.
JC Social Media will soon move to a new office in Birmingham and its name will change to Low&Behold as part of the deal which has also seen the new company bring agencies in Carlisle, Warrington, Cheltenham and Belfast into one group.
Darren Low founded one of those agencies, Cheltenham-based Liquorice, in 2009 and is leading the creation of Low&Behold which will provide services such as marketing and strategy, creative, PR, events and internal communications.
He said: "We were impressed with JC Social Media's fantastic team, solid processes and a reputation that means they receive consistent inbound enquiries from very exciting clients.
"We're delighted to have it as part of the new agency. The client roster and experience of all teams is exceptional but we're hoping to continue growing through both organic and further M&A in 2021 and beyond.
"Existing clients will continue to be serviced by the same teams, ensuring continuity, while also affording them with new solutions from within the group.
"With the impact of covid-19 slowly receding, we believe it's an exciting and timely opportunity for Low&Behold to seize new opportunities."
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Advisers were M&A Advisory, Branch Austin, Thursfields Solicitors and Fruition Accountancy.
