London-based sports marketing agency Playmaker Experiential has been acquired by OBE Worldwide.
The majority stake acquisition sees the US-based agency plant its flag in the UK for the first time, as it targets international expansion.
Playmaker’s London-based team will become a part of OBE’s network, joining the firm’s existing teams in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New York.
Experiential specialist Playmaker was founded last year and is led by Managing Partners James Hogben and Ian Hayne. The agency’s partnership portfolio includes sportswear giant Nike, as well as NFL teams the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets.
Playmaker also serves as OBE’s UK partner for the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in London, through a pre-existing agreement signed in 2016.
OBE’s other partnerships include Meta, Sephora and Kellogg’s.
Announcing the acquisition, James Hogben said, “We have long admired the work of OBE and enjoyed many successful client collaborations together, so we are thrilled to now be an official part of the OBE family.
“This partnership will enable us to leverage our collective strengths and more effectively deliver unparalleled experiential value for clients around the world.
Deb Lemon, CEO of OBE, added, “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to combine our expertise, resources, and creativity to deliver even greater value to our clients worldwide.
“Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of experiential marketing and create unforgettable brand experiences that captivate audiences and drive results.”
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