Plugging UK AD

So you thought that your favorite Ad Agency was independent, creative, rebel and authentic… I’m sorry to break your naïve view about it but, most probably, your beloved agency belongs to a huge communication conglomerate.

What’s a Conglomerate?

Well, according to “Cambridge International Dictionary of English” a conglomerate is “a company that owns several smaller businesses whose products or services are usually very different”.

Not totally clear yet? The online dictionary “Word Reference” states a conglomerate or empire as “a group of diverse companies under common ownership and run as a single organization”.

Which are the Conglomerates in Advertising?

Actually, there are several conglomerates in this business. It is said that the biggest ones are Omnicom, WPP, Publicis Groupe and Interpublic. These conglomerates own agencies like Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, BBH, Grey, Ogilvy & Mather, Santo, Y&R, BBDO, DDB, Lowe & Partners and McCan Worldwide just to name a few. Surprised? In reality, most of these conglomerates own different business from various orientations: MEDIA, ADVERTISING, MARKETING, DESIGN, PR, RESEARCH, FULL SERVICE AGENCIES, SPECILIZED AGENCIES, PRODUCTION, PUBLICITY, INTERNATIONAL OR REGIONAL/LOCAL AGENCIES, etc. So these conglomerates are kind of big empires (that’s where I agree with the Word Reference’s definition of conglomerates) that not only control and own different businesses in the same area of expertise that are actual competitors one with each other but they also own several businesses in related areas which result in a gigantic chain of power. Ok, try to breathe!

Moreover, Adbrands provides a very complete list in their website, where you can find out more about these companies and others!

I also recommend to visit Havas’ website, which is another communication conglomerate and ‘the umbrella brand which incorporates the entire EURO RSCG Worldwide network as well as’ other agencies. You are going to be able to find different organigrammes of the company as the one shown below.

Need more?

Try Media Square plc website and read this article about the BIG FOUR (that’s how these huge conglomerates are called).

Cheers!