The Jargon Group acquires XL Communications
Date Posted:Mon, 24th Apr 2023
London: 5 April 2023, The Jargon Group today announced it has acquired the business and assets of Basingstoke-based XL Communications, including the team, led by founder Chris Bignell. As part of the deal, Bignell becomes Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Jargon Group, further bolstering the senior management team.
XL Communications joins The Jargon Group alongside market-leading companies including sustainability PR agency Pelican Communications and processing, packaging and industrial automation specialist GloHouse Media. Along with Jargon PR, these specialists make up the Jargon Group. The XL Communications team will be rolled into the Jargon PR business, adding additional capability to advise brands in existing markets while expanding reach into new sectors.
Chris Bignell said, “I’ve known about the growing reputation of The Jargon Group for some time, and it was a simple decision to join forces. Our shared interests and values - specifically our focus on delivering high-quality results that help clients deliver on their business goals, makes this an ideal partnership. I look forward to contributing to the growth and development of the business as a whole in my role as COO of The Jargon Group.”
Simon Corbett, founder and CEO of The Jargon Group said, “The acquisition of XL Communications makes a great deal of sense. Both companies shared a commitment to delivering best in class PR campaigns for clients in technology and related industries. Both companies are based close to the M3/M4 technology corridor and share similar values. I’m looking forward to working with Chris to help further grow the group both organically and by acquisition.”
“I am focused on delivering a three-year growth strategy which has included a series of strategic acquisitions. Despite the challenges facing the economy, client demand for PR and communications services continues to grow and The Jargon Group is well set to benefit from this demand.”
The Jargon Group has continued to grow and expects annual fees to surpass £3 million in the next financial year. The Group has invested in teams across the UK in offices based in Reading, Cardiff and Manchester. The Group has invested internationally, opening an office in Dubai and the United States.
The XL Communications deal is the latest acquisition for the Group in the past three years which includes Vantage Marketing (November 2020), Souter PR (July, 2021), GloHouse Media (October 2022) and Pelican Communications (December 2022).
For further information on the Jargon Group and its services please visit www.thejargongroup.com or contact Chris Bignell directly: chris.bignell@thejargongroup.com
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Founded in 2007, XL Communications specialised in mobile, technology, transport and related industries, providing strategic consultancy and campaign execution for start-ups and established corporates.
Since the start of 2022, the companies of the Jargon Group’s momentum has been recognised and acknowledged by the following industry awards and accreditations:
● PRCA Workplace Champions Awards 2023, Training & Development, Finalist
● PR Moment Awards 2023, ESG/Purpose Campaign of the Year, Finalist
● Company Culture Awards 2023, Best Workplace Health & Wellbeing Awareness Initiative, Finalist
● CIPR PRide Gold Winner 2022, PR Consultancy of the Year 22
● UK Digital PR Awards 2022, Digital PR Agency of the Year (Small) Finalist
● PR Moment Awards 2022, B2B Agency of the Year
● PR Moment Awards 2022, Technology Agency of the Year, Finalist
● PRCA Digital Awards 2022, Digital PR & Communications Agency of the Year, Finalist
● PRCA Digital Awards 2022, Simon Corbett – Outstanding Contribution Award
● PRCA Workplace Champions 2022, Small Agency Award, Finalist
● Company Culture Awards 2022, Working Environment Award, Finalist
● Company Culture Awards 2022, Next Generation Initiative, Finalist
● Company Culture Award 2022, Employee Development Plan, Winner
● CIPR Excellence Awards 2022, PR Consultancy of the Year, Finalist
● PRCA Dare Awards 2022, Medium Consultancy of the Year, Finalist
● Prolific North Champions Awards 2022, PR Agency of the Year, Finalist
● Global Agency Awards 2022, B2B Agency of the Year
● Global Agency Awards 2022, Independent Agency of the Year
● Global Agency Awards 2022,PR Agency of Year
● Global Agency Awards 2022,Best Small Agency of the Year, Finalist
● PRCA Platinum Awards 2022, Medium Consultancy Award, Winner
● UK Agency Awards 2022, B2B Agency of the Year and PR Agency of the Year, Finalist
● PRCA PR Internship Awards, Best Internship programme, Finalist
● PCR Awards, Best Marketing and PR Agency, Finalist
● Prolific North Marketing Awards 2022, Tech PR Agency of the Year, Finalist
Additional recognition:
● PRCA CMS Accreditation Achieved & Awarded – Second Year in a row
● Investors in People, ‘We Invest In Wellbeing’, Silver Accreditation Awarded
● The Drum Independent Agency Census, Top agencies with under 25 staff, ranked 3rd
● Ranked 69th in the B2B Marketing UK Agency Benchmarking Report for 2022
● Ranked 26th in the 2022 PR Week B2B Agency Rankings