Advertising group WPP has announced the acquisition of independent creative and customer experience agency, New Commercial Arts (NCA).

NCA will join Ogilvy’s global creative network to further accelerate the agency’s momentum in the UK market.

Founded in 2020 by a team including industry leaders James Murphy and David Golding, NCA has since worked with local and global clients including Sainsbury’s, MoneySuperMarket, Vodafone, Nando’s, Paramount+, Alzheimer’s Society and Cityfibre.

Murphy and Golding previously founded Adam&Eve in 2008 and built it into one of the most influential agencies to launch in the UK, with success on the international stage. NCA employs approximately 90 people and is currently based in Fitzrovia in London and Glasgow.

Both Ogilvy UK and NCA will come under the leadership of James Murphy as CEO Ogilvy Group UK, which marks a return to Ogilvy for Murphy who began his career as a graduate trainee with the agency.

Murphy commented: “Ogilvy is rightly recognised as the world’s pre-eminent creative network, and to be joining with the remit to unlock our collective potential in the UK market is irresistible. For our team and our clients this will be a game-changer in what we can bring to their careers and their brands.”

WPP CEO, Mark Read, said: “NCA is one of the UK’s most exciting new agencies with a great team, an impressive roster of clients and a track record of elevating beloved British brands. Its capabilities and client base make NCA highly complementary to Ogilvy; bringing together these two very successful agencies will drive growth both for our clients and our own UK business.”

Fiona Gordon, who has led Ogilvy in the UK as CEO since 2021, has been promoted to global CEO of advertising at Ogilvy.

She added: “I’m invigorated every day by the boundless potential of creativity to not only propel businesses forward but to leave an indelible mark on culture.

“In my new role I’m excited that the UK will make a vital contribution as a key market.”

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