Digital deal delivers strength and resilience

EMC has brokered a deal between two of its long-standing, Brighton-based digital powerhouse clients that will see Cobb Digital nearly double in size and Leapfrogg accelerate its strategy of providing top-end strategic advice to the retail sector.

The deal sees a team of digital professionals and a group of retail clients move from Leapfrogg to Cobb Digital.

The whole deal was made possible by EMC which has advised both companies for many years. Michael Pay, who has worked closely with Leapfrogg, approached Nik Askaroff, who is chairman of Cobb, after Leapfrogg made the decision to focus on strategic advice rather than delivery.

Nik, who will remain as chairman of the group, explained: “Both companies are at the top of their game in the digital marketing sector and we felt that the deal would bring great benefits to both sides. For Cobb Digital, the opportunity to add an impressive roster of new clients and a group of experienced people to help look after them made perfect sense. And for Leapfrogg, it allows the remaining team to focus on delivering their insight and strategy projects.”

Michael Pay added: “This really is a win-win situation made possible by having the respective EMC teams create a solution that will benefit both businesses.  Whilst they will remain separate companies, the close relationship that has been forged by the deal will result in both being stronger and even more dynamic with great opportunities for further growth over the next few years.”

James Dempster, managing director of Cobb Digital, said the opportunity had come at absolutely the right time.

“Thanks to the great work provided by my team, we’ve recently moved into larger premises at New England House, Brighton, with room for growth over the coming years. As soon as we were approached about a possible link-up with Leapfrogg, we knew this was the right deal for us.

“The former Leapfrogg team has been made very welcome and is already showing its prowess in the fields of social, content, PPC and SEO. It is a perfect match for our company and the combined skill sets of the team are already delivering even better results and consultancy for our combined portfolio.”

Rosie Freshwater, managing director of Leapfrogg, said: “It has fast-tracked our opportunity to not only deliver a fantastic multi-channel offer to our combined portfolio of existing clients, but it’s also freeing up our Insight and Strategy team to be more nimble in delivering the research and strategy projects for which we are becoming famous.

“Together, Leapfrogg and Cobb Digital are in a stronger, more powerful and dynamic position to grow over the next few years.”.

 The deal will see the Cobb Group move towards the top of the sector and underlines its desire to become the number one full-service media group in the South East.

Cobb Digital was given comprehensive legal support by DMH Stallard and Leapfrogg was supported by Coole Bevis LLP.