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The group has also launched a mobile and digital marketing agency that will operate under the name Shift Click.

The move, announced by Howitt chief executive Nick Dixon, is in response to clients wishing to run integrated campaigns with one marketing company.

Dixon said: "The businesses will still operate under their own brands but if a client wants to use several services, they can deal with the Lateral Group, rather than having to go to each company individually."

Shift Click will offer online and mobile marketing as well as web development and email broadcasting. The launch aims to compliment the services offered by mailing and fulfilment company Howitt, digital printer Dialogue Solutions and analytics company Data Lateral.

Dixon said of the merger: The launch of Lateral Group is the pinnacle of several years of solid investment, hard work and determination from the management team."