Independent London agency 18 Feet & Rising launches in Australia by acquiring a stake in Colman Rasic, Sydney for undisclosed sum

CB Exclusive: London agency 18 Feet & Rising has acquired a stake in Colman Rasic, Sydney for an  undisclosed sum. Colman Rasic will rebrand as 18 Feet & Rising so as to create one unified proposition working cross border.

The partners Ben Colman, CEO, Dejan Rasic, ECD and Richard Purdy, CFO will retain a majority share of 18 Feet & Rising, Sydney with the freedom to act locally, whilst building towards a respected creative brand globally.

18 Feet & Rising is one of London’s most successful independent creative agencies and is founded by Jonathan Trimble, Matt Keon and Tim Millar, all formerly senior executives at Fallon London. With over 43 million pounds in billings, clients of the agency include Nationwide, National Trust, Selfridges & Co, Virgin Media, Centerparcs and RockCorps.

Jonathan Trimble, CEO for 18 Feet & Rising, London, will assume a group role across the two regions.

Says Trimble: “Technology has eclipsed the need for network capability. This acquisition isn’t about country presence or a Sydney office. It’s about access to the best talent the world has to offer.”

Prior to launching their own agency Colman, Rasic and Purdy were the senior management team at Lowe Sydney. Whilst at Lowe, Colman and Rasic were responsible for making the agency the most awarded at Cannes in 2006. Colman Rasic was voted Adnews Emerging Agency of the Year in 2008.

18 Feet & Rising Sydney clients will include Coopers Premium Beverages, MTV EXIT, Taylors Wines, News Life Media and BlackRock iShares across Australia, Singapore & Hong Kong. The recent win of Korean Tourism continues the agency’s access pan-Asia.

Says Colman: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with 18 Feet & Rising. We share a common vision around what it takes to be the agency of record for the next decade. And the power of great work.”

Says Rasic: “Our culture and commitment to great work is a natural and effortless fit with 18 Feet & Rising, so it didn’t take very long for any of us to embrace this as a great opportunity.”