Prophet Expands Global Presence and Creative Capabilities with Acquisition of Figtree

LONDON, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Prophet, a leading strategic brand and marketing consultancy, announced today that it has acquired the fast-growing brand and design firm Figtree, marking another significant step in the expansion of its London based capabilities. Together, the companies will create a new breed of consultancy – one that is equally facile in strategy and creativity.

Based in London and Hong Kong, Figtree is known for its world-class design skills and artful use of visual language. Figtree is unique in its ability to use magic and logic to create business success. Its team has led brand positioning, naming, visual identity, and employee engagement projects for such blue-chip brands as HTC, Blackberry, Orange, AXA, Schneider Electric and Thyssen-Krupp.  

For Prophet, this move adds to the already robust capabilities of its existing team in Europe, which is led by Rune Gustafson, President EMEA, and expands its footprint in Asia. "With the fusion of talent in London, we will make London one of our biggest offices worldwide and build up a new creative in the UK. Being on the ground in Hong Kong will enable us to better serve our fast-growing Asian client base," said Gustafson.

"Most people believe that strategic and creative talent can't coexist, but Prophet's rapid growth -- particularly in difficult economic times -- has shown that this simply isn't true. Acquiring Figtree will enable us to scale our interdisciplinary model even further and better serve our current and prospective clients. Together, we will bring a unique and powerful blend of strategy and creativity to all we do," said Michael Dunn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prophet.

Figtree was co-founded in 2004 by Simon Myers and John Holton with the objective of building a more client-centric team of thinkers, designers, dreamers, and doers.

"After eight years working under our own steam as Figtree, we are ready to join forces with a bigger consultancy that we think has the potential, together, to be the best in the world," said Simon Myers, Figtree CEO.

Simon Myers and John Holton will become Partners at Prophet.

Prophet is a strategic brand and marketing consultancy with offices around the world.  It helps leading companies win by delivering inspired and actionable ideas. Prophet has worked with such preeminent clients as BMW, Cisco, GE, McDonald's, Johnson and Johnson, and Zurich Financial on a broad scope of projects in its areas of expertise: brand, marketing, innovation, design, digital, and analytics.

Media contact: Ewen Cameron, ecameron@prophet.com; +44-7968–020-798