NEWS: Globalink on the brink of a Worldcom alliance

Hi-tech agency network Globalink is set to merge with Worldcom Europe to

create Europe’s biggest network of independent agencies.

All of the seven consultancies currently in the Globalink network will

formally present their credentials to Worldcom Europe’s regional meeting

in Budapest this weekend. This is effectively a rubber stamping exercise

as Worldcom Europe - whose UK partner is Kestrel Communications - has

already carried out an exhaustive evaluation process.

Globalink’s agencies, including Argyll Group in the UK, will become full

Worldcom members and enter an exclusive partnership agreement. As well

as paying entry and subscription fees, their existing marketing fund

will be put towards Worldcom Europe’s new business drive.

The Globalink brand will be retained at least for the first year, and

the new members will effectively form a European technology sub-group.

Worldcom Europe already has specialist healthcare and public affairs

divisions but it is not as strong in the European hi-tech sector where

Globalink is the number two network behind Euro-Plus.

The benefit to Globalink is a stronger European influence, particularly

in the area of public affairs for IT companies. It also wants a presence

in the US and Asia Pacific regions where Worldcom has hi-tech agencies.

Crispin Manners, director of Globalink said: ‘About 80 per cent of our

client base is North American owned. We needed overseas partners and it

was easier to get into bed with another network. But the culture also

needed to be right. Worldcom fitted both criteria.’