Australia – Marketing agency IVE Group has announced its acquisition of Active Display Group (ADG), the display and signage unit of creative transformation company WPP, and AFI Branding Solutions (AFI), the Melbourne-based fabric signage innovation firm.
Through the acquisition, ADG will further strengthen IVE’s retail display and 3PL offerings in Australia, while AFI will help in adding events, exhibition, and fabric printing, as well as signage capabilities to the agency’s offerings for the first time.
IVE said that the integration will commence in November 2021.
Matt Aitken, IVE Group’s CEO, shared that the acquisitions aim to strengthen their offer as an industry leader in the design and production of temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent retail display solutions to leading Australian and global brands.
“ADG’s comprehensive 3PL division is also a seamless fit for IVE’s already extensive logistics and fulfillment operations. We look forward to welcoming the ADG and AFI staff to our business, and showcasing IVE’s diverse value proposition to their customers,” said Aitken.
Meanwhile, Steve Voorma, the CEO of Active Display Group, stated that the combination of ADG and IVE’s existing capabilities will create by far the most sophisticated and advanced retail display offering in the country.
“From the breadth and depth of our combined capability, right through to our impeccable environmental and sustainability credentials, this new retail offering will be unmatched in Australia,” said Voorma.
Glenn Watson, AFI’s managing director, commented that this is an exciting new chapter for AFI Branding and they look forward to joining the talented team at IVE.
He said, “AFI brings complementary services to IVE’s already extensive offering, presenting a compelling proposition to its existing 2,800 clients and the wider market.”
