Ascential plc (formerly EMAP), the specialist information, analytics, events and ecommerce optimisation company, has acquired Contagious Communications, a multi-format creative insights business providing trend analysis for their agency and brand customers.
Contagious joins Ascential’s existing marketing brands: LIONS and WARC. Together, LIONS, WARC and Contagious provide events, subscription products and advisory services.
Philip Thomas, CEO of Ascential Intelligence & Events, commented: “Contagious’ ability to anticipate and analyse creative trends brings new capability to Ascential’s marketing segment. It will support our mission to help the world’s biggest brands produce world-class, highly effective and truly creative marketing. We look forward to welcoming Contagious to Ascential, and to delivering even stronger insights for our customers, accelerating growth for all.”
Paul Kemp-Robertson, co-founder and chief brand officer of Contagious, said:
“We are excited to join Ascential and partner with such well-established and esteemed brands in our industry as LIONS and WARC. Our focus on creative intelligence and innovation will add a new dimension to Ascential and supercharge our ability to help customers deliver marketing with more impact and a competitive edge.”
Headquartered in London, Contagious employs 40 staff, and will continue to be led by CEO Karl Marsden, and Co-Founder and Kemp-Robertson.
Ascential is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has 3,800 employees across six continents.
