MMGY Global, integrated travel and hospitality marketing company, announced that it has acquired Grifco and its sister company Ophir PR, boutique public relations agencies specializing in luxury lifestyle, travel, hospitality, hotels and spas. The agencies will both become part of MMGY Global’s London operation. Both firms were founded by recognized industry leader Claire Griffin and have expertise in public relations and social media.
The deal marks MMGY Global’s further expansion in the U.K. market, following the addition of Hills Balfour earlier this year. The agency’s ongoing strategy is to grow its global footprint and ability to service existing and prospective clients worldwide. The addition of Grifco and Ophir PR brings the agency’s total number of employees to more than 400 and overseas offices to six, including three offices in London plus offices in Dubai, Madrid and Taipei.
As a result of Grifco’s brand recognition and long-standing reputation in the industry, MMGY Global will retain the name, and it will now be known as Grifco, an MMGY Global company. Ophir PR will continue to operate as a separate brand.
Claire Griffin will remain an integral part of the business, continuing to oversee Grifco as managing director and Ophir PR as executive director. She will partner with the MMGY Global senior management team to grow the agency’s European footprint in the luxury travel sector.
“We are excited to welcome Claire and her team to MMGY Global and further expand our presence in the U.K.,” stated Clayton Reid, CEO of MMGY Global. “Their expertise and client base in the luxury market adds a new dimension to our business that we plan to extend across our network.”
“We are thrilled to be joining together with MMGY Global to help our business evolve to the next level,” said Claire Griffin, founder and managing director of Grifco and executive director of Ophir PR. “Extending MMGY Global’s worldwide footprint, industry experience and strength across all marketing services through Grifco and Ophir PR offers a truly comprehensive solution and even greater benefit to our current and future clients.”
Grifco and Ophir PR is the fifth acquisition by MMGY Global since private equity firm Peninsula Capital Partners (www.peninsulafunds.com) and Fine Equity Partners (investor Jeffrey Fine, founder of CIBT) made a significant equity investment in the company in February 2016. The investment further strengthens the company’s aggressive acquisition strategy, which includes global expansion and a commitment to integration across all travel marketing channels. Prior acquisitions included DK Shifflet & Associates, Nancy J. Friedman Public Relations, Myriad Marketing, Spring O’Brien and Hills Balfour.
MMGY Global was advised on the transaction by Grant Thornton on financial matters, by Foley & Lardner, LLP on legal matters in the U.S. and by Duane Morris on legal matters in the U.K. Grifco was advised on the transaction by Newlawslegal on legal matters and by tax advisors Warrener Stewart.
