Grabarz & Partner Joins Omnicom’s DAS Group of Companies

Creative agency Grabarz & Partner becomes part of DAS Group of Companies of the leading global marketing and communications company Omnicom. Their shared goal: to use outstanding creativity to make brands successful in Germany and beyond. Grabarz & Partner is thus opening another chapter in its 30-year agency history, which the Hamburg creatives are very much looking forward to. 

With this step, after 30 years as a nationally and internationally successful and renowned agency, Grabarz & Partner becomes part of one of the most internationally successful and renowned marketing and communications group 'Omnicom'. Within Omnicom's DAS Group of Companies are numerous other, independently acting, creativity-first thinking and creatively award-winning agencies like Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Merkley & Partners and GSD&M. 

Like the other agencies in this group, Grabarz & Partner will retain its independence, its name and the agency's management will also remain on board. And except for of shareholders who are no longer active, such as Andreas Grabarz or Thomas Eickhoff, all current partners will continue to hold shares in the agency. 

Omnicom’s investment in Grabarz & Partner is an absolute perfect match for both sides. After all, both partners share a passion for outstanding, innovative, and brand-building creativity - and the belief that creativity is the most important tool for moving people and brands today and in the future. Customers and employees alike will benefit from this joining of forces. 

This step brings numerous advantages for Grabarz & Partner. As one of the world's largest and most renowned marketing communications companies, Omnicom understands what makes for successful advertising agencies and the significance of culture and identity of individual agency brands. This is also proven by the success of other agencies, some of which have been part of the DAS Group of Companies for over 20 years. In concrete terms, this means that Grabarz & Partner will have access to international expertise, international talent, and disciplines such as media, CRM and PR, and not least to the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, practically from a standing start. This will allow current clients to be served even better and more comprehensively - at the same time, the agency's relevance for other internationally operating brands will increase. 

Omnicom benefits just as much from the partnership. Through Grabarz & Partner's creative excellence, staff and decades of national expertise, the company strengthens its position and offering in the important German market, the fourth largest advertising market in the world. 

"After 30 successful years - and just as many offers from networks and others - Omnicom presented to Grabarz & partner a tailor-made future-oriented strategy with 'DAS Group of Companies', which takes into account our wishes and goals, our strategic orientation as a creative agency and, above all, our unique agency culture, which has grown over 30 years, to the highest degree. We are convinced that this step will be another successful chapter for Grabarz & Partner, from which our customers and employees will benefit," says Ralf Heuel, co-founder and managing partner at Grabarz & Partner.  

Julica Hauke, also managing partner adds: "At Grabarz & Partner, we live a mindset of change. Our agency is not the same today as it was 30 years ago. Nor is it the same as it was 10, 5 or one year ago. This is also what is firmly rooted in our agency DNA and, in fact, what is written in our agency manifesto. Because that's the only way we can remain the agency we are. The step we are taking now is another one to remain Grabarz & Partner in the future."

"We’re thrilled to add one of the most creative agencies in Germany to our roster and to lean into its stellar reputation in one of Europe's most important economic regions for our clients,” said John Wren, chairman and CEO, Omnicom Group. “Our shared vision for creative excellence is what drew us to them, and we look forward to the impact they’ll make as part of Omnicom. We welcome the entire G&P team to the group." 

The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.