ROTTERDAM: The biggest agency in Holland, Bikker Communication
Group, has been bought by Euro RSCG, as it adds to its Dutch marketing
communications portfolio.
Euro RSCG’s acquisition, which was founded in 1989 by Leendert Bikker,
has expertise which includes corporate communications, media relations,
brand communications and public affairs.
The agency will continue to run independently in exactly the same way as
it does at present, but Bikker will join the Dutch board of Euro
RSCG.
He will also be involved in some of the group’s international
activities.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed but relate to the agency’s
future earnings.
Rob Benjamens, chairman of Euro RSCG in Holland said there were three
reasons for the purchase. ’First, because Bikker is an excellent agency,
the speed of its growth to 120 people in ten years demonstrates its
quality.
Second, because we wanted Leendert Bikker himself. He is young and he
has a very clear vision, I have admired the way he has built his agency
for some time.’
The third reason is that Euro RSCG wants to build an international
network of specialist agencies. In Holland the group already owns seven
other marketing communications agencies, but has no PR shop. Bikker said
he was also talking to PR agencies in Norway and Finland.
In a related move, Bikker will step down from his post as Bikker CEO
next January to be succeeded by Geerd Schlangen, previously managing
partner at agency Van Sluis Communicatie.
New York-based Euro RSCG is a global network of advertising and
marketing agencies operating in 72 countries.
