Brave Bison’s latest acquisition underscores its ambition in sports marketing, securing Engage Digital Partners in a noteworthy £11m deal.
- Engage Digital Partners enhances fan engagement through digital content, commercial strategy, and analytics, adding substantial value with its global sports clientele.
- Boasting prestigious clients like Formula 1, ICC, Real Madrid, and New Zealand Rugby, Engage provides 24/7 global service from offices in London, Australia, and India.
- This alignment will bolster Brave Bison’s sports and entertainment sectors, integrating with SocialChain to expand audience engagement and sports sponsorship activation.
- Led by existing Engage executives, the merger promises innovative solutions in content, media, and technology for sports federations worldwide.
In a significant move, Brave Bison has announced its acquisition of Engage Digital Partners, marking a strategic expansion in the sports marketing arena. The deal, valued at £11 million, involves acquiring Engage’s entire issued share capital. Known for its dynamic fan engagement initiatives, Engage offers services including digital content creation, strategic commercial planning, and innovative social media management. This acquisition promises to enhance Brave Bison’s capabilities in servicing an ever-expanding global client base.
Engage Digital Partners is renowned for its impressive roster of clients, which includes some of the biggest names in sports. With clients such as Formula 1, International Cricket Council (ICC), Real Madrid, and New Zealand Rugby, Engage has built a formidable presence in the sports and entertainment sectors. Founded by CEO Gregg Oldfield after a management buyout from Endemol Sport in 2012, the company operates from offices in London, Australia, and India, providing around-the-clock service through a team of over 130 employees.
The integration with Brave Bison is set to create a robust sports and entertainment division, combining expertise in channel and rights management. This division will oversee some of the largest federations in sports like football, cricket, rugby, motorsports, tennis, golf, and e-sports. The new entity aims to leverage proprietary technology, driving fan engagement and enhancing commercial partnerships through personalised audience building and ticket sales strategies.
Leading the enlarged division will be Engage’s current CEO Gregg Oldfield, alongside key figures from both Engage and Brave Bison. The merger will align with Brave Bison’s existing sports media network, providing channel and rights management services while expanding content strategy and production capabilities.
This acquisition also strengthens the synergy between Brave Bison and SocialChain. SocialChain, acquired by Brave Bison in February 2023, is known for its prowess in social media marketing and strategy. Together, they aim to unlock new audience opportunities and monetisation solutions for sport and entertainment brands globally. Through content, commerce, and media technology, the combined team will help brands activate sponsorships effectively in the digital age.
Executive chairman of Brave Bison, Oli Green, expressed enthusiasm over the deal, highlighting Engage’s deep expertise in sports media and content strategy. Gregg Oldfield of Engage echoed this excitement, noting the unparalleled growth opportunities for their clients within the comprehensive marketing funnel.
Ultimately, this acquisition represents a strategic step forward for Brave Bison, poised to offer enhanced digital solutions in a complex and evolving sports media landscape.
Brave Bison’s acquisition of Engage Digital Partners marks a strategic enhancement in their sports marketing and digital media capabilities.
