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WPP has acquired The Brand Union, the parent company of branding

specialist Lambie-Nairn and Tutsells.

The deal will give both Lambie-Nairn and its sister company the chance

to access WPP resources for global expansion.

Lambie-Nairn is renowned for its rebranding and ident work for TV

channels including the BBC and Carlton, as well as its logo for the New

Millennium Experience Company.

Tutsells is a branding and packaging specialist with clients including

UDV and Glaxo Wellcome. In total, The Brand Union employs 80 people with

a turnover of pounds 12m.

WPP, which wants to bolster its global marketing services empire, will

let the two Brand Union companies operate as autonomous businesses

within its branding and identity, healthcare and specialist

communications division.

This arm of WPP already includes the branding giants Coley Porter Bell

and Enterprise IG.

Lambie-Nairn now gains the opportunity to push for work in markets

outside the UK, particularly as the US adopts digital TV. It has

recently been appointed by the ABC network to handle a rebranding

exercise, and wants to build its portfolio in this area.

Liz Dunning, marketing director of Lambie-Nairn, said: ’We can now raise

funds for global expansion. We are best known in television, having

worked for the BBC and relaunched Carlton. In most ways the US is way

ahead, but in TV it is behind. It doesn’t go digital until 2004, so we

can offer unique experience.’

Martin Lambie-Nairn added: ’Convergence between TV and electronic media,

as well as global market opportunities, have made it essential that we

are positioned to flourish as a key player on an international stage.’