Merger will aid agency's growth
A digital marketing agency based in Kinver is spreading its digital footprint across the Atlantic after agreeing to a merger to help continue its growth.
Chris Green and Andy Calloway, directors of Calloway Green, have completed a merger which will see the company come under the umbrella of Grand Bridges, a leading tech consultancy boasting offices in both Edinburgh and San Francisco.
It is just another sign of the growing influence within the digital marketplace of a company launched at Wolverhampton Science Park in 2006, thanks to European funding helping to offer subsidised office space as part of the SPARK Hub programme.
“Our aim from the start was to help Black Country companies, especially those in the manufacturing sector, to take advantage of an online presence, and create websites for them to grow their businesses,” explained Mr Green, whose expertise in creating powerful brands dovetails perfectly with Calloway’s prowess in digital technology.
“As the years have passed, demand has increased substantially for businesses to increase their influence online and even some we spoke to at the start who didn’t really need us at that time have gradually decided to turn to digital.
“We know we are one of the businesses that has been extremely fortunate to continue operating during the pandemic, and have been kept busy helping companies who have had to switch to more of an online offering.
“As a business, we were still fairly small in staffing numbers and had already embraced the idea of remote working along with our office base in Kinver, so in another way we were also fortunate to be prepared for the challenges we have all faced over the last year.
“Our success has paved the way for this merger with Grand Bridges, which came about from a conversation with a client who had a contact who was needing some website support.
“From what was effectively a referral of a referral around two years ago we struck up a positive working relationship with Grand Bridges, who were working mainly with clients in California but were looking for expertise within the UK.
“Having worked together on various projects Grand Bridges have now decided they would like to absorb Calloway Green into their business so they can offer a much wider offering for their clients which is a really exciting development allowing us to adopt more of a global approach.”
Calloway Green will now cease to trade with all staff becoming part of Grand Bridges focusing predominantly on the tech sector, offering a range of services from social media/PR and content creation to website and SEO optimisation, events and exhibitions and brand positioning and messaging.
Grand Bridges are already working closely with clients not just in America but also China and Australia, but they will also be looking for more tech companies based around the Midlands, as well as continuing relationships with several of Calloway Green’s existing portfolio, including Talbots Law.
And whilst they are moving into a new phase of their development, the company remained hugely appreciative of all the support received over the last 15 years, including from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
For several years, Green led monthly marketing workshops on behalf of the Chamber which were delivered in total to over 500 local business people.
Gail Arnold, head of premium membership at the chamber, said“I have known Chris for many years and I would really recommend working with him, as his professionalism and marketing expertise are exceptional.
“He gives concise and clear information and can make a real difference to the marketing and digital needs of any business.
“I wish Calloway Green all the very best with the merger and the new chapter in their development.”
