MKTG extends to Germany through acquisition of leading brand & lifestyle marketing agency Markenloft

Dentsu Aegis Network today announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Markenloft GmbH (“Markenloft”), a leading brand and lifestyle marketing agency in Germany. The completion of this acquisition is subject to regulatory approval. Markenloft will be fully integrated in the lifestyle marketing agency MKTG, further expanding the brand’s footprint around the world and strengthening the network’s sports and entertainment, experiential and lifestyle marketing offering.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Dusseldorf, Markenloft has grown to become a leading brand and lifestyle marketing agency in Germany by creating new standards for advisory client relations based on ‘emotional brand selling’. Markenloft’s holistic brand experience approach brings together event marketing, live communication & experience production, experiential campaigns, sports & entertainment consulting, sponsorship management and celebrity consulting. With a strong team of more than 30 experiential marketing experts, the agency provides lifestyle marketing services to high profile clients across various industries.

Following the acquisition, Sebastian Birwe and Kai Burkhard - Founders and Managing Partners - will continue to lead their successful team within the new MKTG offering across Germany. They will report to Zoja Paskaljevic, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Germany.

Zoja Paskaljevic, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Germany, commented: “This is a really exciting opportunity for our group and I am delighted to welcome the Markenloft team to our network. Their experience and proven leadership will provide us with solid foundation to launch MKTG in Germany and significantly strengthen our lifestyle marketing offering globally. Bringing Markenloft to Dentsu Aegis Germany will build up an entirely new brand experience offering to deliver even more value for our clients.”

Charlie Horsey, Global Brand President MKTG, said: Establishing a presence in Germany has been a priority for us since being acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network in August 2014. We were committed to identifying an existing business that was not only a market leader and a functional fit, but a cultural fit. We found that in Markenloft from our first meeting. Sebastian and Kai have built out an incredible business, one that perfectly complements the integrated lifestyle marketing service offering we have been building out around the globe. We very much look forward to working with Sebastian, Kai and their entire team to achieve great things for MKTG, our employees and, of course, for our clients.

Sebastian Birwe, Managing Partner of Markenloft, commented: “We are truly excited to be joining the innovative Dentsu Aegis Network and launch MKTG in Germany. With this partnership, Markenloft will empower its talent, clients and ideas through MKTG’s established global network and resources that are beautifully aligned with our purpose and vision of our industry.”

“It’s an exciting day for Markenloft. MKTG is an extraordinary international network because of their commitment to always being at the forefront of brand experience and lifestyle marketing and we are thrilled to join forces. Together we can leverage the synergies in creativity and innovation on an global scale”, Kai Burkhard, Managing Partner of Markenloft, added.

‑ ENDS ‑

For further information contact:

Judith Weiand
Director Corporate Communications NCE
T: +49 611 9788 424
E: judith.weiand@dentsuaegis.com

 
Stephanie Rudnick
Global Brand Communications Director MKTG
T: +1 212-366-3400
E: srudnick@mktg.com

Notes to Editors:

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 145 countries worldwide with around 32,000 dedicated specialists. www.dentsuaegisnetwork.com

About MKTG
MKTG, part of the Dentsu Aegis Network, is a global creative agency comprised of pioneers and practitioners of lifestyle marketing. We specialize in delivering strategic, business-oriented marketing solutions for leading brands via sport and entertainment, live experiences, retail marketing, enterprise/b-to-b engagement and sponsorship marketing. We are committed to constantly evolving, refining and inventing innovative brand engagements through deeper understanding of how people think, work and live their lives. Headquartered in New York City, we have 1,450 employees and 7,000 Brand Ambassadors operating in 30 offices globally, with reach in 18 markets across the Americas, EMEA and APAC. 

About Markenloft
Markenloft is a full service agency creating exceptional brand experiences for high demanding clients. Founded by Kai Burkhard and Sebastian Birwe on the premise that client results and stunning ideas go hand in hand, Markenloft serves top brands across all industries. With an expertise of more than 40 years in the business we are by heart true experts in entertainment, sports and partnership. With a strong team of more than 30 experiential marketing experts we are creating brand experiences across all touchpoints.