Weber Shandwick Acquires Social Creative Agency That Lot, Taking Multi-platform Storytelling to the Next Level

- Together Weber Shandwick and That Lot Create Regional Social Powerhouse -

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Jul 16, 2018, 09:00 ET

LONDON, July 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global communications and marketing services firms, has acquired That Lot, an award-winning social creative agency based in London. Effective immediately, the deal combines Weber Shandwick's expertise in integrated communications, data & analytics and social strategy, with That Lot's specialties in social-first, platform-specific content and production.

Weber Shandwick and That Lot will, together, become one of the largest teams of social specialists in the region, bringing cutting-edge social and digital solutions to EMEA and global clients. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"That Lot are at the forefront of creating innovative and compelling social creative for a range of brands and businesses," said Andy Polansky, CEO, Weber Shandwick. "This new partnership is another example of how we continue to add creative firepower in the UK and beyond."

That Lot works with some of the UK's largest brands including Channel 4, B&Q, Jamie Oliver and Have I Got News For You. The agency was founded in 2014 by actor, writer, director and social media expert David Schneider (of "The Day Today" and BAFTA-nominated "The Death of Stalin"), Digital Emmy-winning writer and social content pioneer David Levin, and managing director David Beresford. That Lot's diverse talent roster includes social-first creatives, designers, writers and videographers as well as a team of social-first project managers and account teams led by Laura Tannenbaum, formerly a social and marketing specialist at Bauer Media, News UK and Global Radio.

"Reaching customers via social media is business critical for many of our clients, but to make it work, you need to ensure you truly engage and create impact," said Rachel Friend, UK CEO, Weber Shandwick. "When combined with our existing capabilities and expertise, including the mobile platform and social solutions of our Flipside business, we believe we have a proposition that stands us out as leaders in cutting-edge social media thinking."

"We're passionate, maybe even slightly obsessive, about understanding and adapting to the way audiences use social media to ensure our clients cut through on the right platforms and engage with their audiences brilliantly," said David Levin, co-founder of That Lot. "And a lot of that is about telling powerful human stories. It was obvious to us that Weber Shandwick excels at creating engaging campaigns fueled by world-class audience research, strategy and data. That's why we felt they were the perfect partner to help us continue to develop and globalize our business."

Weber Shandwick's acquisition of That Lot follows the firm's acquisition of London-based mobile specialist agency Flipside in 2016, making its London operation a network hub for leading digital expertise. Weber Shandwick also recently expanded its digital creative content capabilities in Brazil with the acquisition of digital marketing firm Cappuccino in May 2018. In December 2017, Weber Shandwick brought on two leading digital firms – Bomoda and Resolute Digital – to further ground its capabilities in data & analytics and performance marketing.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications and marketing services firm in 78 cities with a network extending to 128 cities around the world. The firm's diverse team of strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work. Weber Shandwick was the only public relations agency included on the Advertising Age Agency A-list in 2014 and 2015 and the only PR firm designated an A-List Agency Standout in 2017 and 2018. Weber Shandwick was honored as PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, The Holmes Report's Global Agency of the Year in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017, and The Holmes Report's Global Digital Agency of the Year in 2016. The firm deploys deep expertise across sectors and specialty areas, including consumer marketing, corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, employee engagement, social impact, financial communications and crisis management, using proprietary social, digital and analytics methodologies. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.

About That Lot

That Lot is an award-winning social creative agency. The firm has assembled an industry-leading team of writers, designers, videographers, Facebookers, Instagrammers, Tweeters and Snapchatters to create highly-shareable, platform-specific content.

That Lot's innovative, creative, platform-first approach to social cuts-through and significantly increases reach and engagement for the company's clients, which include Channel 4, Intercontinental Hotels Group, McCain, B&Q, Have I Got News for You and Jamie Oliver.

Contact: Kimberly Dixon
Company: Weber Shandwick
Phone: 212-546-7876
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Weber Shandwick