19 Sep 2024

Cheshire-based TMC Strategic Communications has announced the acquisition of Calvin Marketing, a specialist PR and social media agency. The acquisition of Calvin will boost the agency’s employee count to over 50.

The acquisition will bolster TMC by incorporating Calvin’s expertise in media relations, brand reputation and social media management into its Congleton headquarters. The merger will bring substantial benefits, leveraging the agencies’ combined strengths to deliver innovative communication solutions.

Established almost two decades ago, by Tim and Jan McCloud, TMC works with global businesses across the healthcare, science, technology and manufacturing sectors. Clients include global women’s healthcare leader; Hologic, technology giant Siemens and the largest European oncology and cardiology societies. They benefit from TMC’s in-house expertise in strategic communications, brand development, omnichannel marketing, creative design, 3D and digital disciplines.

Calvin Marketing has an equally impressive track record and has been led by its founder, Diana Stephenson for the past 29 years; she will join TMC as Managing Director of PR.

Under Diana’s leadership, Calvin has built a formidable reputation, servicing high-profile clients such as Gascoigne Halman and Home Instead, the largest home care company in the UK, alongside a diverse portfolio spanning franchise, property and pharma clients.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tim McCloud, CEO of TMC, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Diana and her team to the TMC team. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in our history.

“Since our first meeting, it was obvious that we shared the same values and ethos around how we treat our teams and how we work with our clients – these shared values and a common culture have formed the foundation for this acquisition, which we are seeing as a merger; a meeting of minds.

“The calibre of the Calvin team combined with its impressive client roster brings a new and exciting dimension to our business. Together, we can now offer clients our combined capabilities including for the first time at TMC, a dedicated PR team.”

Diana said, “Joining TMC is an incredible opportunity for us and one which provides us all with new avenues for professional growth. Our combined expertise will enable us to offer enhanced marketing and creative solutions to our clients. I am looking forward to leading the PR division at TMC, expanding into new sectors and continuing to deliver exceptional results.”

Earlier this year, TMC was awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category, in recognition for its outstanding contributions to exporting creative services across the world.

The agency is currently working towards achieving B-Corp status.