MediaSense, a U.K.-based media advisory firm, has acquired the consultancy R3 in a strategic move to enhance its global reach and capabilities in creative and content management. This acquisition marks the second major purchase by MediaSense in six months, following its acquisition of PwC’s U.K. marketing and media advisory division. The terms of the R3 deal were not disclosed, but it significantly bolsters MediaSenses workforce by 30%, bringing the total number of employees to over 230. R3’s co-founders, Greg Paull and Shufen Goh, will join the executive leadership team of the combined entity.
The acquisition of R3 is aimed at strengthening MediaSenses presence in key markets across North America and Asia. R3 is recognized for its expertise in conducting large agency account reviews and providing in-depth industry research and analysis. This strategic move will allow MediaSense to broaden its service offerings, particularly in creative and content management advisory services, which are increasingly in demand from clients seeking integrated advice across various disciplines and regions.
Graham Brown, CEO of MediaSense, highlighted the importance of offering coordinated advisory services across different territories to meet the evolving needs of their clients. The companys recent growth initiatives, including the R3 acquisition, are part of a broader expansion strategy fueled by a significant investment from private equity firm Apiary Capital in 2021. MediaSense has been actively involved in major media account reviews, including high-profile clients such as Unilever and Amazon.
The acquisition also underscores MediaSenses role in navigating complex media landscapes, as evidenced by its involvement in Amazons recent media account review. The Amazon account reallocation was considered a significant event, referred to as “the global media pitch of the decade,” where Amazon, a major advertising spender, redistributed its media responsibilities between industry giants WPP and Omnicom. This further positions MediaSense as a key player in the global media advisory space.