Independent creative agency Smart has refused to comment on speculation it is about to be sold to a network.
An announcement will be made regarding speculation on a sale on Monday. Smart executive creative director and partner John Mescall, as well as CEO Ben Lilley and Sydney managing director Ashley Farr, refused to confirm or deny that the sale was imminent.
Some media reports have suggested that McCann Worldgroup is the buyer, however McCann Worldgroup chairman and chief executive Chris Mort was unavailable for comment.
The agency has had a rosy run this past six months, picking up Tiger Airways, Mount Franklin, Twinings and a carbon tax campaign from the Government.
Other Smart clients include Brown Brothers, Specsavers, Open Universities, Railcorp, NSW Government, Federal Government, Forty Winks, Australand and other Coca-Cola brands.
Smart has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and Auckland. Mescall's partners in the business are chief executive Ben Lilley and managing partner Ashley Farr.
Last year, the agency bought The Foundry in Sydney and welcomed Simon Burrett as managing director.
If Smart is sold, it will be the most recent Australian independent agency to be acquired by a network. Two months ago, Havas bought a 51% majority share in Host and 303 Group is in advanced talks with Interpublic's Lowe.
If the 303 sale is finalised, Lavender is set to become Australia's largest independent agency with around 100 staff members, followed by The Monkeys.
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