Hunt Corporate Finance (HCF) is proud to announce that digital marketing agency Adbirds has been added to the Happy Horizon group. HCF advised AdBirds during this successful transaction, which involved the sale of 100% of the shares. Max Ferguson headed the HCF team that brokered the sale and advised the sellers on all aspects of the transaction.
AdBirds: an international success story of ex-Google and ex-Facebook employees
AdBirds was founded in 2010 with the aim of connecting international companies with the knowledge and large-scale network of ex-Google and ex-Facebook employees. Since its inception, AdBirds has harnessed that knowledge to help companies to grow and expand their online business around the world.
AdBirds offers global reach with local AdBirds presence tailored to the needs of the local market, culture and business environment. Globally, they work for companies such as LVMH, Lacoste, PUMA, Pepe Jeans and Hackett.
Happy Horizon: a fresh start with sharpened positioning
With this launched course, agencies join in hubs across the country and Happy Horizon offers full-service support for clients in the areas of strategy & innovation, data & automation, online marketing, development & technology and branding, content & PR.
Happy Horizon has acquired all of the shares in AdBirds, with key management remaining on board. With the acquisition, Happy Horizon has taken a big step in terms of internationalization. Happy Horizon now has coverage in the rest of the world in addition to offices in seven Dutch cities.
Adbirds and Happy Horizon excited about new partnership
Walter van de Wege, CEO of Happy Horizon: “This acquisition is a big step in the international growth plans of Happy Horizon. AdBirds operates internationally with a local character. Specialized local teams who speak the language and have knowledge of the market support brands to roll out campaigns globally. AdBirds thus has global support for large international clients. Together with them, we will be able to serve our clients even better in realizing their international ambitions,” said Van de Wege.
Lucy Johnston and Fransje Mous, both global director at AdBirds, are excited to work with Happy Horizon and contribute to this international growth. Lucy Johnston: “The fit with Happy Horizon has been good from the beginning and last week we met with all the labels during a strategic session. Our DNA is a perfect fit for the group and our years of experience at Google and Facebook, as well as our international network of specialists, will undoubtedly contribute to Happy Horizon’s international growth.”
Deal in the media
Read the press release on Happy Horizon’s website here (in Dutch).
