McConnells strengthens its position with acquisition of Bird & Moore
McConnells Group has strengthened its position as one of the leading advertising agencies in the Midlands by acquiring respected local rivals Bird & Moore.
McConnells has taken over the Uttoxeter agency’s advertising and PR accounts after tying up a deal this month.
Formerly based in Lichfield, Staffordshire, Bird & Moore was established in 1986 by creative director Norman Bird and managing director Neil Moore, who had 40 years experience between them and had previously worked together at advertising agencies Brookes & Vernons and the Saatchi & Saatchi Group during the 1980s.
Neil Moore (left) and McConnells Group chairman Robert Eley
shake hands following McConnells’ acquisition of Bird & Moore.
Bird & Moore built up a reputation as a hard-working advertising agency offering effective communication campaigns for businesses across all industry sectors.
Its client portfolio, made up of leading local and national companies based primarily in the business to business arena, namely agriculture, building, construction, engineering and materials handling, will transfer to McConnells.
Both Mr Bird and Mr Moore are retiring and no personnel will switch to McConnells, which will allocate the accounts to its existing staff. However, Mr Moore will work as a consultant for McConnells for at least the next six months to facilitate a smooth transition of accounts.
Robert Eley, chairman of McConnells, said: “We are delighted to have acquired such a well-respected agency as Bird & Moore. Over the years, Neil and Norman have built a reputation among their clients for being dedicated, trustworthy and professional and the calibre of their clients both past and present is testament to that.
“They made it clear from the very beginning that they were looking to sell to an agency that shared their approach and I am proud that they recognise those same qualities in McConnells.”
Mr Moore said: “There were a number of agencies interested in acquiring Bird & Moore, but we both felt that McConnells most closely matched our culture and approach. It was of paramount importance to us that our clients would continue to receive the very best in terms of service and we are confident that with McConnells they will continue to do so.”
