Two of the North's largest independent brand and content agencies have merged to create a new 80-strong team with "big plans" for the future.
Greater Manchester-based Shoot the Moon and Delineo have become stm_grp, with the new firm bringing together "the talents of a unique collection of specialist, independent agencies with a firm eye on client results".
The new company will continue to operate through the Shoot the Moon, JGM, Eat & Breathe, Anytime After 9 and Delineo brands under the direction of a newly formed board.
That board will comprise four directors from Shoot the Moon Group, four directors from Delineo and a non-executive director, and they plan to grow revenues of the combined business by 100% to over £10m over the next five years.
Phil Marshall, group CEO said: “Collectively stm_grp will maintain the spirit of independence, ensuring each studio nurtures its own specialism, team and identity, whilst embracing their collective talents, service-driven ethos and agile workflow.”
Founded in 1997 in Manchester, Shoot the Moon develops brand, packaging, content and social outreach services, while Delineo, set up in 1982, provides brand communication and performance marketing services to sectors such as IT, manufacturing and retail.
Mr Marshall added: “Merger discussions commenced early in 2020 and continued throughout the lockdown. Rather than sit back and wait to see what happens after the global health crisis, we’ve chosen to be bold and target growth.
"It won’t be easy with so much uncertainty out there, but there is strength in numbers, depth of talent and diversification.
"By bringing the agencies together we have a team that operates across multiple industry sectors with a broad spectrum of agency services – from strategic consultancy to photography, performance marketing to brand communication.
"We believe the combined group is great news for our team, clients and their customers, who remain our top priority.”
