Datchet: Zone acquires London branding agency

Entrepreneur Robin Horrex' Datchet-based design and marketing firm, Zone, bought Social, a London-based branding agency boasting Global Radio, TK Maxx, Merrell and Hilton Hotels among its prestigious client list.
The acquisition of Social gives Zone a bigger presence in the branding and lifestyle arena, and gives both companies a fresh platform on which to further develop their range of activities. It highlights Zone’s own evolution, expanding from design and marketing to add other specialist services such as digital, motion, social media, 3D visualisation, print and motion.

Company founder Robin Horrex, who was Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (Slough) entrepreneur of the year in 2011, explained that Zone and Social had complementary skill sets, which would enable them to broaden the scope of their work, supporting each other where required. Particular areas of interest include music video production.

“As far as both sets of clients are concerned, it will be very much business as normal,” Horrex said. “The two businesses will continue to operate autonomously, but will each have a new and rich vein of talent available to them.

“Under our newly created umbrella organisation of The Magic Button Creative Group, we will be able to expand, while allowing the men who head Social, Steve Lucker and Paul Driver, to focus on what they do best, which is creative thinking.”

Robin Horrex becomes the managing director of Social, and creative director of the Magic Button Creative Group.  Sue Armstrong remains managing director of Zone, and is operations director at Social. Andy Scarth remains creative director at Zone, while Steve Lucker and Paul Driver are creative directors for Social.

Zone is based in Datchet, and its client portfolio includes Kraft/Cadbury, Pepsico, Carlsberg, Diversey, Bayer and ca technologies.

Steve Lucker (Social), Robin Horrex (Zone Design) and Paul Driver (Social)

Resources: Zone website