Finalised this week, the move will see all of Tarantula's 26 staff move into the Publicis offices in Shanghai, with Tarantula's head David King named managing director for Publicis Dialog China, Publicis' through-the-line offering. The deal means Tarantula's key client Virgin Atlantic's below-the-line account will be united under the same roof, with Publicis already holding the business for the airline's above- the-line brief. Other clients to move include IMI, a British engineering company, and CMA, a German food brand.
According to Publicis China CEO Neil Hardwick -- who was quick to stress the deal was not an acquisition or take-over -- the move would more than double Dialog's offering in the mainland. "We wanted to take a large step forward," said Hardwick. "We will continue to grow organically and expand our services, but this just makes it a lot easier."
King said the move would benefit the Tarantula team, which would be able to draw on Publicis' resources and expertise. "Before, we were a small independent company chasing the scraps that the bigger agencies didn't want. Now we have more gravitas."
Publicis Dialog takes in Tarantula China set-up
Tarantula China has transferred its staff and clients to Publicis Dialog China, in a deal that will see the end of the relationship marketing, CRM and events agency on the mainland.
