Thinks Owner Avenir Buys PR, Intell Units from Next 15

Montreal, Canada-based holding company Avenir Global, the parent of Thinks Insight, has acquired Marker Collective, from British group Next 15, In addition to Marker's 3 PR agencies Archetype, Nectar and Outcast, the buy includes an underlying media intelligence platform, Delve.

Prior to the latest buys Avenir had around 1,000 staff in 22 locations across Canada, the US, Europe and the Middle East. In addition to London-based opinion and market research firm Thinks Insight & Strategy, acquired in February / March this year, the group is home to Canadian PR firm NATIONAL Public Relations, as well as insights and media strategy / execution agency Time & Space.

Marker adds another 650 employees in 20 offices across the US, UK, continental Europe and Asia Pacific. The unit's three communications agencies share resources and technology but each maintain their own expertise and client relationships. Key among the shared resources is the proprietary AI platform Delve, which turns real-time news and social media coverage into executive-ready insights - Avenir plans to make this accessible to all its agencies, supporting client service, campaign measurement, and more efficient workflows.

Avenir President and CEO Jean-Pierre Vasseur (pictured) states: 'What attracted us to Marker was the quality of its people, the strength of its agencies, the relationships it has built with some of the world's leading technology companies, and the technology they have developed. We believe in the value of communications and advisory firms that help organizations earn trust, strengthen their reputations and navigate change, particularly where science, technology, health, policy and capital intersect. Marker fits well with that approach. In our 50th anniversary year, this acquisition represents another important step in our international growth.'

Helena Maus, CEO of Marker Collective, says the buy is 'a strong vote of confidence in our people, our clients, and the model we have been building - distinct agencies with strong points of view, connected by shared intelligence and technology.' Marker will continue to operate separately under Maus's leadership, with Archetype, Nectar, Outcast and Delve all keeping their distinct identities, leadership teams, cultures and client focus.

The group is online at www.avenir.global .