Dentsu Aegis Network extends digital and branded content leadership in Canada through acquisition of Grip Limited

Dentsu Aegis Network today announces the acquisition of Grip Limited (“Grip”), a well-established and award-winning Canadian agency renowned for its creative, digital and branded content work. This latest acquisition extends the footprint of Dentsu Aegis Network Canada and continues the expansion of its digital offering in the region. 

Toronto-based Grip is a full-service agency founded in 2002. Now counting over 150 employees among its ranks, Grip credits its early adoption of digital capabilities, including social, analytics, mobile, CRM and branded content creation as the main drivers of its growth.

Following the acquisition, Grip will maintain its name and branding, and operate as a specialist brand within Dentsu Aegis Network Canada.

The agency will continue to be managed by the senior leadership team of the founding partners, Bob Shanks, Managing Partner, and Creative Partners, David Crichton, David Chiavegato, Rich Pryce Jones, Randy Stein, and Scott Dube.

“What attracted us to Dentsu Aegis Network was the ability to scale our capabilities across a broader network in order to expand and enhance our offering to existing clients, and attract new prospects both here in Canada and globally,” said Shanks.

“Grip is a fantastic additition to our network in Canada in terms of expertise and capabilities, with a strong culture and vision that complements our current roster of agencies and talent,” said Annette Warring, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Canada. “This is a key acquisition to increase our scale with an established global client base, enhance our digital capabilities and achieve a dominant position in the market. We look forward to helping Grip expand its reach and contribute to the overall offering of Dentsu Aegis Network.”

Grip ranks among the top creative digital agencies in Canada, consistently creating innovative and award-winning work garnering recognition in Canada and around the world. The agency recently won Silver at the Digital Agency of the Year Awards, Gold at the Media Innovation Awards and in the past years several Cannes Lions, including a Gold Cyber Lion and Gold for Branded Content. Grip’s work has also been honored by D&AD, Marketing Awards, One Show, Applied Arts, Cassies, Bessies, and CA, the majority of which focused on digital, social and branded content categories.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 ‑ ENDS ‑

For further information please contact:

Belle Lenz
Regional Communications Director, Americas
Dentsu Aegis Network
T: +1 646-742-5029
E: belle.lenz@dentsuaegis.com

Claudia Gervais
Director of Communications
Dentsu Aegis Network Canada
T: +1 514-284-8465
E: claudia.gervais@dentsuaegis.com

About Dentsu Aegis Network

Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of nine global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, Dentsu media, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 123 countries worldwide with over 30,000 dedicated specialists. www.dentsuaegisnetwork.com

About Grip Limited

Founded in 2002, Grip Limited has an established and world class capability to handle all advertising, digital and core marketing across all platforms – including, creative, design, content creation, digital, measurement, analytics, mobile, social, CRM, e-commerce, gaming, SEO/SEM and DM. Grip is also widely considered Canada’s innovation leader in both digital and branded content which has been a real catalyst for it’s consistent growth.

It now has 150 employees and revenues in excess of $20 million. Grip has a remarkable roster of large global brands, plus Canada’s largest financial institution. Clients include Honda, Acura, Yum Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut & Taco Bell), Expedia, Allergan, Anheuser Busch Inbev, McCain Foods, Dare, Lindt Sprungli and Royal Bank of Canada.