Lewis Silkin has advised the shareholders of global social and brand advertising expert Born Social on their sale to award winning global digital marketing agency Croud.
Founded in 2012, Born Social provides specialist strategy, creative, media, management, and influencer services to social-first brands such as Nando's, Guinness, and Primark and have since gone on to receive the B-Corp certification, one of the very few agencies with this accolade.
The acquisition marks Croud's third acquisition in 12 months, with support of its private equity partner LDC. Croud and Born Social have featured in Campaign's Best Places to Work for the last three years.
The Lewis Silkin team was led by Corporate Partner Karish Andrews, with support from Tax Partner Matthew Rowbotham, Corporate Associate Joe Lythgoe and Employment Associate Victoria Northedge.
Commenting on the deal, Born Social's CEO, Ben Tyson, said:
"For us, this acquisition is the perfect alignment of two very compatible businesses: both growth-oriented, digital-first, entrepreneurial, and with a huge emphasis on people and culture. In Karish, Joe and the rest of the Lewis Silkin team we had a trusted set of advisors that we wouldn't have got here without. Their reputation for understanding the marketing and media industry, and the nuance of agency businesses, preceded them and they did not disappoint".
Commenting on the deal, Lewis Silkin's Karish Andrews said:
"It was fantastic to advise the Born Social team on the sale of the agency to Croud. They are truly some of the nicest clients I have worked with and it's always great to be involved (in a small way) in bringing two brilliant businesses together. We look forward to watching their shared future. Thank you for trusting us Ben, Char and Dan. You deserve all the success that is coming your way."