Despite Brexit, M&A activity in PR continues

Marketing, tech and healthcare M&A adviser, Results International has compiled research that shows sustained M&A activity in the PR industry for the first half of 2016.

The analysis shows that there were 36 deals in total, six more than during the same period in 2015, and more than a quarter of the activity (28%) involved cross-border transactions, despite uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

Of the 36, 10 involved UK businesses, up from eight last year, suggesting that key drivers for M&A in the marcoms, tech and healthcare sectors remain solid.

Keith Hunt, managing partner at Results International, said: “There’s no real sign of Brexit impacting the market as yet, even though there is some uncertainty in the UK in particular. Yet deal volumes are still very robust both in the UK and globally.

“The big groups mostly have their general PR requirements covered. As a result, content-based businesses, notably those with a technology offering, and specialist PR businesses remain the most attractive targets. This is especially true in vertical niches such as healthcare.”

There were no repeat acquirers of PR assets, but Edelman, Groupe Conseil Res Publica, WPP, Publicis and MDC Partners made single acquisitions, adding to deals completed in 2015.

PR agency M&A activity rose by 54% in the first quarter of 2016.