Lakestar Media was founded in 2007 and is a leading UK digital marketing agency with a focus on Search Marketing, in particular SEO. Lakestar has a real strength in the retail sector and has grown at an exceptional rate over the past five years. The business is lead by CEO Neil McKay and now has a team of 50 people in its London and Manchester offices.
OPPORTUNITY
Whilst Lakestar had been growing at a fast rate since 2007, the shareholders sought a strategic partner to accelerate the growth of its core business and deliver an opportunity to offer additional digital marketing services to its clients. The shareholders were also seeking a long-term opportunity to develop their careers within a larger organisation. Alongside the strategic requirement it was very important to find a partner that shared Lakestar’s culture and values.
In order to realise this ambition Lakestar appointed Results International to identify appropriate partners and to manage the sale process through to completion.
OUTCOME
Results identified, approached and received offers from a number of potential strategic partners before Lakestar chose McCann Worldgroup as its preferred partner. Becoming part of McCann will allow Lakestar to offer a broader integrated digital solution and to work alongside other digital disciplines. In turn the acquisition will significantly enhance McCann’s search marketing capabilities across the UK.