Law firm Cripps has acted on behalf of London-based Instinctif Partners in its acquisition of digital communication agencies Champollion Limited, Champollion Digital Limited and Champollion Political Limited.
Instinctif is an international business communications consultancy specialising in reputation, influence and engagement, employing 450 people across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and the Middle East, and acting for more than 850 clients across the globe.
Champollion, which will integrate within Instinctif’s Public Policy practice, specialises in public affairs, media relations and digital communications. It has a client base across a number of sectors with particular expertise with international NGOs, innovative corporates and higher education institutions.
The Cripps team, led by partner Nigel Stanford and assisted by Julie Hughes and Laura Wilson, advised on all deal documentation including the share purchase agreement and some elements of Instinctif’s due diligence.
“Instinctif Partners purchased 100% of the share capital in each of the three companies acquired, which were all separate entities owned by the same group of people, rather than a more traditional parent company with a subsidiaries structure,” said Nigel.
“That made the completion of documentation to a tight timetable a little more complicated than usual, but in the event, we were able to get the deal completed within the client’s desired timeframe.
“It is always exciting to be working for an innovative, highly acquisitive client and we look forward to advising Instinctif on further deals in the future.”
Nik Holgate, Chief Finance Officer at Instinctif, commented: “This is our first acquisition in which we were advised by Cripps and we are delighted with how smoothly it went and with the relationship we have already built with them.
“The team was professional and open and worked well outside of what might be considered normal hours to ensure the deal was concluded on time and to our satisfaction.”
The deal is the latest of a number in the advertising and media sector for Cripps.
In late 2016, Cripps acted for Keesing Media Group BV, part of the Telegraaf Media Groep NV, on its acquisition of a minority shareholding and joint venture arrangements in relation to Eye to Eye Puzzles. The firm also advised DAC Group Europe Ltd in its acquisitions of Ambergreen Internet Marketing Ltd and adxmedia GmbH.
Cripps has offices in Tunbridge Wells, London and Kings Hill.