ICOM, one of the world's largest global networks of independent agencies providing advertising, marketing communications, media, digital and related services, has appointed new agency members in Spain and Germany to expand and enhance the network’s presence in these two important European countries.
In Germany, Cologne-based BrandGalaxy Group, organized as a galaxy of specialty agencies each headed by a managing director, provides a complete and fully integrated service offering. The agencies cover everything from online and other digital media to branding, multimedia, point-of-sale, media planning, sponsorship, events, public relations and editorial.
In Spain, Madrid-based Darwin Social Noise, a creative and strategy-based agency, brings strong digital capabilities supported by the agency’s proprietary digital intelligence tools. The agency is especially proficient in communication strategy, brand content and applicable creative concepts and has its own audio-visual production team.
“For some time, we have been looking for the right partner in Spain and an additional partner to our long-time member, move communications, in Germany since the country is the second largest advertising market in Europe,” said ICOM Chairman Bob Morrison, also chairman-CEO, Morrison, Atlanta, USA. “The principals of both our new members are passionate about the same things that ICOM members value: independence, collaboration, teamwork and a client-first mandate. Both agencies will fit right in.”
The new members are looking forward to the collegial spirit that ICOM members exhibit which facilitates collaboration and cooperation. “That makes for a highly focused team when working on regional and global accounts,” said ICOM Executive Director Emma Keenan.
Miguel Pereira, chief executive/co-founding partner/co-owner of Darwin Social Noise, said ICOM is a perfect fit for his agency’s international growth model. “Membership will allow us to offer our clients worldwide coverage through reliable partners. I also expect to get inspiration for business ideas and new experiences and to network with an incredible group of peers from every corner in the world.”
ICOM Europe Regional Director Christophe Levyfve added that Darwin Social Noise is an especially impressive agency. “They have a strong digital focus and forward-thinking outlook. They very much not only have their eye on the agency of tomorrow. They are, in fact, rapidly becoming the agency of tomorrow.” Levyfve is also CEO-owner of NETCO Group in France and Belgium.
Also impressive is where Darwin Social Noise is housed - in an inspirational building built in the 1800s for the first Spanish women’s school. Designated an historic building, it was designed by a well-known architect. Its stunning courtyard is used by prestigious fashion and auction houses to showcase private collections and for photo shoots. Darwin Social Noise is the sole workplace in the building.
It is there that the agency serves clients across a wide range of industries including finance and insurance, online betting, dental clinics, professional soccer, tv entertainment, utilities and nonprofits.
Although BrandGalaxy Group’s origins stem from a multinational agency conglomerate, the group has been independent for some 15 years, growing steadily, healthily and implementing a wide variety of successful projects with a digital-first focus. The agency is heavily involved with media-neutral brand activation digital, in-store, at sports and music events and at trade shows. The individual entities work most often as a collaborative team. “Our greatest results are best achieved with a team of experts, each contributing their state-of-the-art expertise in their respective fields. The extraordinarily long relationships with our blue chip clients are the best proof of this,” said Leon Dominitz, one of two BrandGalaxy Group managing partners. “Now we are eager to tap into ICOM’s resources to benefit from being part of a global organization and to support our new network partners with our technology focus.”
Among BrandGalaxy’s clients are well-known icons including Nikon, DHL, Kimberly-Clark, Mars, Porsche, Samsonite and Telekom. The group recently purchased and plans to invest heavily in an agency specializing in augmented and virtual reality as well as experiential marketing, which brings new services to ICOM’s offer in Germany.
“With our integrated approach, we not only create the best programs for our clients but also grow and learn ourselves with every project because the individual disciplines benefit from the strengths of the others,” said Heiner Prignitz, the other managing partner of BrandGalaxy Group. “Joining ICOM is more than just a new business decision. It’s also a decision linked to staff enhancement and training.”