Bastion Buys Australia's Stable Research

Australian communications group Bastion Collective has acquired Sydney full service agency Stable Research, whose methods include face-to-face, communities, product clinics and online surveys.

Stable was launched in 1992 and acquired by its current owners, Karen Johnston and Pip Hooper, eleven years later. Its offering includes the 'Soapbox' panel of more than 110,000 families and individuals, and three years ago it invested in mobile-based consumer MR firm Mobile Digital Indaba (MDI). Stable also partnered with video survey specialist Voxpopme a year ago on the development of an on-demand video research app.

Bastion says buying Stable will allow it to offer a new service to clients but will also strengthen its creative, content production, PR, social media and sponsorship offerings. Quoted on www.mumbrella.com.au , CEO Jack Watts (pictured) comments: 'For a long time, we have been looking for access to a relevant, nimble and insightful data solution that allows all our businesses to provide a deeper level of service to our clients. Stable Research is this solution and have access to an incredible amount of data across a range of industries. They will be a fantastic asset to our business, our staff and our clients'.

Stable co-owner Karen Johnston says the agency already has a new brand identity, courtesy of its new parent's creative agency Bastion State, which has 'given the team new energy and focus'.

Bastion's other two buys this year were production agency Bengar Films and a stake in ad agency Banjo. Back in January 2016 it bought Melbourne and Sydney-based research agency Latitude Insights, subsequently renamed Bastion Latitude.

Web sites: www.bastioncollective.com and www.stableresearch.com.au .