Bastion Amplify US has acquired leading California-based PR and digital company IMW Agency, further cementing the bnAustralian agency's aim to build a global business.
IMW has been operating in the US market for the past 15 years and will be merged into Bastion Amplify’s existing US operations.
Bastion Amplify now has 35 staff in the US, delivering PR, social and digital services for clients, plus 45 staff across Australia and New Zealand.
Bastion Amplify US will be headed by CEO Chris Bretschger, the former president of IMW Agency, and former Bastion Amplify US CEO Shana Starr will serve as president of Bastion Amplify.
Bastion founder and group CEO Jack Watts said: “It is fantastic to continue our growth in the US market with the acquisition of IMW Agency. We now have 50+ staff across the group in America to take our global total well over 300.
“We believe we have built the agency model for the new world, and we are incredibly pleased to see that continuing to gain traction in the USA.
“For me personally, it is a joy to spend time with our people and clients in the States and walk through a Bastion yellow door into one of our now 3 offices there."
Chris Bretschger has held leadership roles for national advertising companies such as Doner Advertising as well as major brands such as Mazda.
Bretschger said: “It is a tremendous honour to take the helm of such a talented enterprise. When my parents founded IMW decades ago, we strove for growth and impeccable customer service.
“This evolution continues that mission with a forward-thinking model that is fully equipped to meet the needs of the modern economy.”
The continued growth of Bastion Amplify in the US and Australia, allows Bastion Amplify to offer a unique mix of PR, digital, social and influencer services to clients across both markets.
"The acquisition positions Bastion USA on an imminent trajectory to become the largest full-service independent marketing Agency on the West Coast of America", said CEO of Bastion USA Dax Cornelius.
Bastion US is part of Bastion, Australasian independent agency with more than 300 employees working across offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, New York City, Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland. It also holds agency partnerships in 10 Asian markets.
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