Following the acquisition, Planning-Inc will continue to operate as an independent brand as part of the Next 15 network. The senior management team will continue to lead the business which includes clients such as Argos, M&S, Halfords and Sony.

Commenting on the acquisition, Nick Lee Morrison, General Counsel at Next 15, said:

“We believe marketing is a technology and data driven activity. We are delighted that Planning-Inc is joining Next 15 to strengthen our commitment to investing in these areas alongside the creative aspects of marketing. Lewis Silkin’s M&A experts have become a vital part of our acquisitions process and Planning-Inc was no exception. Lewis Silkin’s deep advertising & marketing sector knowledge is always a huge benefit. Paul and his team worked incredibly hard to get the deal completed and consistently provide the best M&A advice as our trusted legal partners.”

The acquisition of Planning-Inc marks the seventh deal on which Lewis Silkin has advised Next 15. The team was led by Corporate Partner Paul Rajput alongside Corporate Tax Partner Matthew Rowbotham, Corporate Senior Associate Sadiq Tajbhai and Corporate Associate Jack Baldwin.

Paul Rajput, Head of Corporate at Lewis Silkin said:

“We were delighted to have worked on our seventh acquisition for Next 15, it has been a pleasure advising Next 15 again as we assist them in growing from strength to strength. It is brilliant that Lewis Silkin can play a part in leading in the advertising & marketing industries M&A activities.”