Merger creates biggest independent UK DM network

Leeds based full-service marketing agency, JDA, has merged with The Direct Marketing Group (TDMG) and London charity specialists Whitewater, creating a company with a £45 million turnover.

The UK's largest independent direct marketing network has been unveiled with an announcement from Leeds based full-service marketing agency JDA of its merger with The Direct Marketing Group (TDMG.) London charity specialists Whitewater are also combining, in a deal which creates a 300-strong company with an annual turnover of over £45 million.

The four-agency TDMG also comprises Cheltenham charity experts, DMS.

It is supported by two Yorkshire companies - database management company Pushbutton and print and fulfilment business, Coltec Parker.

New chief executive Martin Smith said: "Each of the companies will continue to operate under their own names under the umbrella of TDMG - they will all benefit from TDMG's centralised resources, data management, print production, media buying, PR and digital capabilities".

Managing director of JDA Mike Ashton commented: "This is a tremendously exciting move for JDA, growing Yorkshire's already enviable direct marketing capability in a UK-wide arena.

"The well-established and like-minded agencies of TDMG will be able to capitalise on shared resources and knowledge, and extend our expertise and services to provide clients with even better value.

""We're sure that being part of this bigger, stronger group will offer real client benefits, including additional data mining expertise and resource, further investment into our on-line offering, increased group buying and negotiating power, plus meeting and working space in central London.

"We shall continue to operate as The JDA Group Limited with all current project undertakings and relationships looked after by existing teams".

Outgoing Chairman, Carl Hopkins, has taken this opportunity to pursue other challenges after being key to the development of JDA in the last 20 years.Hopkins said: "This deal creates something truly unique on the direct marketing map of the UK; it brings new opportunities for staff, new techniques and expertise for clients and a potential growth spurt in terms of business and account acquisitions".

TDMG will continue to look for acquisitions ahead of their own stock market listing early 2008.

With this in mind, they have appointed Littlewoods Shop Direct Group Chairman, David Jones CBE, as non-executive chairman.

He was previously chairman of Next, with key responsibility for its retail success.

He also acted as deputy chairman of Morrisons Supermarkets.

JDA is one of the largest and oldest independent agencies in the UK with a full-service offering including direct marketing, print management, creative, media planning and buying, PR and also a range of online marketing services.

Its client base includes BT, British Energy, Cattles, Corgi, CPP, Dulux, HBOS, Parador Properties and The Royal Mint.

The newly formed TDMG comprises: full service agency JDA, Whitewater (a non-profit direct marketing specialist that joined the group on the same day as JDA), mature marketing specialist Millennium and fundraising marketing specialist DMS.

It is supported by data management bureau PushButton and printers and lettershop Coltec Parker.

Each continues to operate as an independent entity.

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