Nineteen Group acquires Lyrical Communications

UK-based organiser Nineteen Group has announced the acquisition of Lyrical Communications, the UK’s exhibition and digital media brand serving installers and decision-makers working within the areas of heat, water, air and energy.

Lyrical has, since 2006, grown to become a respected platform within an industry that plays a vital role in sustainability, decarbonisation and the journey to Net Zero. Three brands sit under the Lyrical banner – InstallerShOW, Installer Digital and elemental.

InstallerSHOW (www.installershow.com) was launched in 2015 and is now one of the fastest growing event brands in the UK and set for a record-breaking edition next June at the NEC in Birmingham.

Installer and elemental are digital content streams for their distinct audience groups. Installer runs a full programme of webinars.

Michael Costain will remain as MD and will run the business day to day with his existing team. He will also join the Nineteen Group Leadership team. The Installer founder, Eoin McManus, who took over the brand from CORGI in 2006, will remain in the business as a non executive director of Lyrical.

Peter Jones, CEO of Nineteen Group said: “Lyrical is an exciting addition to the Nineteen family and fits with our strategy to acquire the fastest growing event brands in resilient markets. Alison Jackson and I have long been admirers of Eoin and Michael and are delighted to welcome them to our business along with the rest of their talented team. Michael has been on our wish list to work with since Phoenix invested in Nineteen Group in 2018. The team at Lyrical have a similar positive fast paced culture to ours.”

Michael Costain said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for Lyrical to continue on its rapid growth path and expand as part of a wider group. There are clear complementary skills in each business and similar cultural values. “Peter Jones and his team have strong exhibition experience which, married with our knowledge of the sector and expertise in media solutions, will ensure the sector has a range of touch points throughout the year at a time of exciting opportunities for the sector.”

Eoin McManus added: “As the road to net zero intensifies, the need for unified communications and valuable face-to-face engagement will only increase. No other heat, water, air and energy media brand has this level of targeted reach – supported by the industry’s largest, most up-to-date targeted databases. The business is in very safe hands and there are lots of opportunities for growth going forward.”