Lexis Group buys consumer/events arm of Propeller

Lexis Communications Group has bought the consumer and events arm

of the Propeller Group, and merged it into its Lexis PR brand.

Propeller Direction, which has an annual fee income in the region of

£350,000 and clients including Interflora and Ryvita, is led by

director Marilyn Wicks, who, along with her four staff, will become a

Lexis employee.

Propeller Group managing director Martin Loat said the decision to sell

the division had been taken due to the 'different focus' of the two

existing Propeller divisions: 'We have to be realistic about what a

small company can offer big name brands, and what measures must be taken

to keep on competing in the long-term in terms of clients.'

Lexis Communications CEO Bill Jones said Propeller Direction needed a

'bigger platform' from which to operate, adding that the acquisition

enabled Lexis to broaden its client base. A third party is understood to

have brokered the deal between the two agencies.

The purchase of the division continues an ambitious second half of the

year for Lexis, which has opened its first overseas office in San

Francisco (PRWeek, 20 July), enhanced its technology division, and won

business with Barclaycard - for its sponsorship of the FA Premier League

- and Anadin.

Jones refused to rule out further acquisitions.