Volcano Group to Rebrand as GREY Africa
The Volcano Group will rebrand as GREY Africa, re-establishing the global advertising giant as a leader in providing creative and effective full-service marketing solutions across the African continent, Africa press has said.
The global agency of the year, is re-entering South Africa with immediate effect, having agreed to acquire a majority stake in The Volcano Group, one of South Africa’s fastest growing independent advertising communications groups.
WPP, the world’s largest global media and communications agency network, made the announcement in London today, signaling yet another
critical step in GREY’s growth strategy of developing its networks in fast growing and important markets and sectors in the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region. The Volcano Group will focus on developing a strong local GREY presence in South Africa as well as lead GREY’s expansion in key African markets.
Paul Jackson, Volcano’s Group Managing Director, said he is immensely proud to be associated with an iconic agency such as GREY. “The GREY
Group ranks among the world’s top advertising and marketing organizations, with an enviable global footprint. GREY’s credentials and achievements are impressive and their unique positioning of ‘Famously Effective’ resonates with the same values that have guided Volcano to success.”
“The decision to take on the exciting opportunity of re-establishing GREY in South Africa and across the continent is one that is met with great enthusiasm by both parties, and we look forward to being an integral part of the continued global success of GREY.”
As a full service, through-the-line communications group, Volcano has been operating for over 20 years. Today, Volcano is made up of all-inclusive integrated marketing communications units which include Volcano Advertising, Volcano PR and Social, Volcano Design, Volcano Insights, and Volcano Digital.
Volcano has also been the lead agency in sub-Saharan Africa for ICOM, the world’s largest group of independent agencies, having successfully managed a network of 27 agencies throughout the EMEA region. “The Volcano Group brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the
African marketplace and comes with an outstanding track record,” adds Jackson. “By combining Volcano’s integrated marketing and communications capabilities with GREY’s proven expertise, I am confident that our multi-faceted service offering will provide clients with a new level of excellence.”
David Patton, President and CEO of GREY EMEA, is confident and energized by the new partnership. “The most important outcome of this exciting partnership is the acquisition of talent and expertise that will re-ignite our efforts in establishing a dynamic South African presence for GREY and will also allow us to truly focus on serving international clients across the African continent”, said Patton.