Avenir Global buys Marker Collective, adding 650 staff across 20 offices

Avenir Global, a communications holding company based in Montreal, has agreed to buy Marker Collective from Next 15 Group plc. The company announced the deal, which adds three agencies and an AI platform to its business.

Marker owns three communications agencies: Archetype, Nectar and Outcast. They advise technology companies. The group also runs Delve, its own AI-powered media intelligence platform. Delve turns live news and social media activity into briefings that executives can act on.

The details come from Avenir Global's own announcement. Marker employs about 650 people in 20 offices across the United States, the United Kingdom, continental Europe and Asia-Pacific. With the purchase, Avenir says it now has more than 1,500 staff worldwide.

Agencies keep their identity

Each of Marker's three agencies will keep its own expertise and client relationships. They will also share resources and technology. Marker says Delve serves more than 450 clients through these agencies.

Avenir sees Delve as a possible shared platform across its whole network. The company says it could support client service, campaign measurement and day-to-day workflow. That would free staff to spend more time on higher-value client work.

Jean-Pierre Vasseur, president and CEO of Avenir Global, said the company was drawn to Marker's people, its agencies, its client relationships and its technology. "We believe in the value of communications and advisory firms that help organisations earn trust, strengthen their reputations and navigate change," he said. He added that the deal marks another step in the company's international growth during its 50th anniversary year.

The announcements do not give the price of the deal or say when it will close. They also do not say whether any Marker staff or offices will change after the sale.