NEW YORK, July 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Grey Group today announced the merger of Grey Portugal and digital agency, Excentric, to create a new Portuguese agency ‘ExcentricGrey’ in Lisbon.

The enlarged full-service agency will be led in Portugal by co-founder of Excentric Miguel Figueiredo. Be Vaz Mena will serve as Creative Director and Joao Rosa will become Head of Digital. Joao Bordalo, one of the pioneers of the internet in Portugal, will take on the role of Chief Innovation Officer.

Employing over 70 professionals and serving over 100 clients, ExcentricGrey will provide a full range of marketing services including creative, strategy, digital, technology execution and social media management.

David Patton, President and CEO of Grey EMEA, commented, “This merger continues Grey’s strategy of strengthening and broadening our capabilities in digital media across all our markets. I’m delighted that we have joined forces with Excentric, one of the most dynamic and largest digital agencies in Portugal. This new future-facing agency will have a clear distinction in the Portuguese market which I’m sure will capture the interest of the marketing community.”

Miguel Figueiredo said, “More than just a merger, this is a true reset to the business of advertising in Portugal. It represents the coming evolution for all agencies, digital, advertising or others. This shift requires a great deal of multidisciplinary competencies, and it’s our conviction that making this move together with Grey is the right one for the future.”

About Grey

Grey is the advertising network of Grey Group. Grey Group ranks among the largest global communications companies. Its parent company is WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY). Under the banner of “Grey Famously Effective Since 1917,” the agency serves a blue-chip client roster of many of the world’s best known companies: Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Diageo, Darden Restaurants, Pfizer, Canon, 3M, NFL, Boehringer Ingelheim, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and T.J. Maxx. (www.grey.com)

About Excentric

Founded in 2006 in Lisbon, Excentric is one of the most specialized digital marketing agencies in Portugal, focused in planning, project construction, traffic generation, content development, investment optimization and ROI evaluation for the Portuguese market. The company’s clients include Millennium BCP, Sonaecom, Unitel, and EDPr among many others. (www.excentric.pt)

Contact: Owen Dougherty
212-546-2551
odougherty@grey.com

SOURCE Grey