Global communications giant The Independents acquires English agency Kennedy

There seems to be nothing stopping The Independents, which now boasts 11 companies under its belt. The consortium of creative agencies, experts in communication and events, initiated in 2017 by Karla Otto and K2, has absorbed Kennedy, a London-based enterprise specializing in strategic consulting and production for brand, culture, and entertainment projects. This new operation comes just one month after the acquisition of Atelier Athem, specialized in financing the restoration of listed buildings through advertising and the creation of ephemeral or permanent scenographies for brands.

The transaction amount has not been disclosed. Founded in 2000 by Jan Kennedy, the agency bearing his name creates projects at the intersection of culture and entertainment (fashion shows, presentations, pop-ups, soirées, product launches, and live performances). Among its clients are major luxury houses such as Chloé, Loewe, Calvin Klein, Valentino, Marni, Zegna, Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Coty.

With its headquarters in London, Kennedy operates in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, drawing on new talents in the world of art, architecture, music, theater, and cinema, as well as a robust international service provider network developed over two decades worldwide, both for creation and production.

“The acquisition of Kennedy brings new expertise to the group in supporting international projects, bringing together brands, art, and entertainment. We are convinced that its arrival will bring numerous opportunities to the agencies that make up The Independents, as already demonstrated by key collaborations with group members such as K2 in Asia,” commented Isabelle Chouvet, CEO of the group, in a statement.

Last January, The Independents had already diversified by welcoming Atelier Athem, founded in Paris in 1985 and comprising a team of 40 people. Over 10 years, this structure has completed more than 500 scenographic projects and contributed to the financing of restoration work on over 50 listed monuments and buildings such as the Palais Garnier, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, or the Hôtel de la Marine. For the group, it represents a new creative activity and a new offering, which it plans to develop internationally.

With these two new entities, The Independents’ ecosystem is strengthened by bringing together the following 11 agencies: Atelier Athem, Atelier LUM, Bureau Betak & Bureau Future, CTZAR, INCA Productions, Karla Otto, K2, Kennedy, Lefty, The Qode, and Prodject.

The group is present in fifteen cities around the globe (Milan, Paris, London, Munich, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah) and is supported in its capital by Banijay, a company of the European group FL Entertainment, and by the Anglo-American fund TowerBrook Capital Partners.