The digital marketing agencies Follo are joining forces. The agencies are combining their strengths to work together towards a leading role in data and performance marketing and to take a leading position in the European market. NewPort Capital joins as an investor to support this ambitious growth and development of the new entity. This collaboration results in an organization with nearly 200 employees, spread across locations in Amersfoort, Arnhem, Breukelen, Dongen, Ghent (BE), and Groningen. Financial details about the transaction are not disclosed.
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Innovative techniques and in-depth digital marketing expertise
The new group focuses on performance marketing and international growth. It aims, through in-depth expertise and innovation, to maximize measurable results for clients. As a leading performance marketing agency in the Netherlands, it combines data, tech, and customer-oriented strategies with a passion to excel. “With Follo, we have always centered winning awards in our strategy. This challenges us to be innovative for clients, and it is a huge motivation for the team. In the new group, we are also fully committed to winning awards on a European scale. We want to be the best performance agency in Europe,” says Martijn van Dijk, MD Follo.
Mark van Hattum appointed as CEO
Founder and director of Follo, Mark van Hattum, will head the new group. Mark: “The development in digital marketing is moving at lightning speed. To continue offering the right solution as an agency, it is important to have sufficient scale. We are convinced that depth, and thus success for our clients, is determined by scale in terms of knowledge and data. Scaling up makes us more relevant to both clients and top talent in the field, and an additional advantage is that with the new agency group, we immediately have good geographical distribution throughout the Benelux. This brings the benefits of this scaling closer to our clients and professionals.”
A talented team striving for excellence
The merger brings together talented teams and provides a broad base of experts in all areas of performance marketing. Ortwin Verreck, MD Follo: “Success stands and falls with attracting and retaining top talent with whom we achieve groundbreaking results and awards. The foundation is laid in our Academy and the coaching of top talent by the best trainers. Winning awards is great, but ‘success’ is no accident. This results in groundbreaking service.”
“At Follo, we are not only proud of our recognition as a ‘Great Place to Work’, but also of the way we live up to this title every day. Our six-month traineeship in online marketing is more than a learning path; it is an intensive adventure with daily training and personal buddy guidance at its core. We offer a unique opportunity to grow in an environment that not only focuses on achieving results but also on celebrating successes and personal development. This makes Follo the place where you not only elevate your career but also yourself, all within a framework of trust, pride, and fun. We will further develop this unique culture within the group,” says Robert Slijm, MD Follo.
NewPort Capital comes on board to realize European ambitions
With an active buy- & build strategy, NewPort Capital aims to make the new group the authority in Western Europe in the field of performance marketing. This strategic merger promises to deliver an innovative, data-driven approach focused on maximizing measurable performance for clients. Peter van den Anker, partner at NewPort Capital, adds: “The accelerating effect of the buy- & build strategy enables the group to be a frontrunner in innovation, customer service, and opportunities for top talent. In the digital agency market, we see room for and demand for a pure performance marketing specialist, and we believe that the combination of Follo provides the excellent platform for this.”
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