M&C Saatchi Group acquires local agency Levergy

SPORTS and entertainment agency, Levergy, with offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, has been acquired by the M&C Saatchi Group.

The international sport and entertainment firm announced the deal of a majority stake acquisition in the local firm yesterday for an undisclosed amount and comes off the back of an exceptional growth path.

Levergy was founded by Clint Paterson and Struan Campbell in 2012 and positions the agency to capitalise on a buoyant sport and entertainment industry locally and across Africa. The deal brings together two best-in-class agencies in the sport and entertainment sector.

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment is the record five-time UK Agency of the Year as voted by the BT Sport Industry Awards, while Levergy recently took home nine awards, including Agency of the Year, in the Discovery Sport Industry Awards held in Johannesburg.

Levergy is to become the offering in Africa of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, furthering its existing network in London, Berlin, Sydney, New York and the most recently launched office in Los Angeles. Levergy’s client roster includes major local and international brands such as SuperSport, Audi, New Balance and DStv and employs 26 people.

Levergy chief executive Clint Paterson said for the firm to be recognised by the M&C Saatchi Group as the company to represent its sport and entertainment offering in Africa was a proud achievement.

“We have always considered their work and approach as the global benchmark.

“Over the last few months we have got to know them well, and we are excited at what we can achieve together on the African continent.” Steve Martin, the global chief executive of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, said the firm had become great admirers of the Levergy team.

“Their thinking and the work they produce for what is a remarkable roster of clients. We’ve made the decision to partner with them because we see them as sharing the same dedication to creativity and innovation that has seen us become successful over the years. I have no doubt that they are well placed to do some impactful and stand-out work in Africa over the foreseeable future,” Martin said.