Wasserman Media Group Acquires Ignite
Wasserman Media Group chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman has announced the company has completed a transaction to acquire brand experience agency, Ignite, for an undisclosed sum.
The deal expands Wasserman’s capabilities in the experiential marketing and activation space while providing Ignite and its clients access to the company’s global network, resources and relationships across the sports, entertainment and lifestyle marketing landscape.
Casey Wasserman said: ‘Ignite’s experience and capabilities will further enable our teams to connect key client strategic initiatives directly with the audiences they are working to engage. Most significant is that the Ignite team is perfect cultural fit for Wasserman, and we look forward to immediate and substantial results.’
Fred Porro, Group Managing Director of Ignite, added: ‘We are incredibly excited to be joining Wasserman as the acquistion provides us with an unlimited opportunity to work across the company to deliver superior experiential campaigns for their clients while integrating our clients into their global network.’
‘The company’s leadership, commitment to excellence and reputation for providing best-in-class work for some of the world’s smartest brands, properties, media outlets, and athletes offer us the opportunity to immediately add more value to our current clients and team.’
The Ignite team will join Wasserman’s consulting division, who works with brands including American Express and PepsiCo on crafting strategic programs across the sports, music, fashion and other lifestyle verticals, and will report to managing directors Elizabeth Lindsey and Denise Durante.
All 50 plus members of the Ignite team will be retained, with Fred Porro relocating from the company’s current US headquarters in Miami to Wasserman’s New York City office and Cris Cicirello and Paul Saville will continue to lead the existing London-based Experience team.
Last week, Wasserman also announced the signing of Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs for representation, joining the likes of Jack Wilshere, Steven Gerrard and Mark Cavendish.
