WESTERN Australia’s biggest advertising agency, Marketforce, has announced a merger with local rival MJB&B. MJB&B’s 10 staff adds to Marketforce’s 120, creating a business almost double that of the next agency by employee numbers, The Brand Agency. MJB&B managing director Craig Billings told WA Business News that the merger, effective from August 1, was a result of trends in the market and that the resources of a bigger agency would benefit MJB&B’s clients. Mr Billings said he would not be taking equity in the merged agency while a directorship remains to be seen at this stage. Mr Billings said there had been several merger discussions with Marketforce over a number of years. In a statement, Marketforce chairman John Driscoll cited the strength of MJB&B in the area of retail advertising as one of the major attractions for the merger. “Craig Billings is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most successful and determined retail marketers and we welcome his experience and enthusiasm for great retail advertising,” he said. The business of MJB&B will merge with the existing Marketforce retail division, currently known as Redline, a business name taken up by Marketforce as a result of the merger with Shorter Partners in 2002. The division will be known as Marketforce Retail. Clients of MJB&B include City Farmers, Dusk, Richgrow, Sapphire Pools and Furniture Bazaar.
