17th July 2019
We are delighted to announce the acquisition of XXS Amsterdam, one of Holland’s largest independent strategic and creative agencies, by Candid Group BV. The acquisition complements the eight agencies already within the Candid Group with significant synergies across specialisms and clients to bring a more holistic offering.
Founded in 1998 focusing on brand strategy, creative excellence and production in high-end studios, XXS works domestically and internationally for major clients and its many accolades include SAN and Effie Awards, Lamps and a Cannes Lion.
Candid Group is a platform where media, creative and technology talents work together to deliver a positive impact for ambitious brands. Founded by entrepreneur Gérard Ghazarian in 2007, Candid consists of an international team of more than 200 employees spread across offices in Amsterdam and Rotterdam – 6 Circles, BBK Media, Havana Harbor, Lavinci, M2 Media, Stroom, The Online Company, Vostradamus and XXS Amsterdam.
Green Square acted for the shareholders of XXS Amsterdam.
Piet Hein Smit – Founding Partner XXS Amsterdam commented:
“Joining Candid Group is the ideal next step for the team at XXS Amsterdam. Not only is it a perfect fit from a strategic point of view, but the chemistry, culture and nature of how the agencies interact within it suits us perfectly. We were looking for a party where we could retain our own signature and creative expertise and at the same time connect with other disciplines, and with Candid we have found it.”
“We have known Green Square two years – we started with one of their Ascension Days and subsequently entered the sale process with them. They have been true partners to us throughout the process – they always acted in our best interests, clearly prioritised our needs and kept a laser-focus on achieving the objectives we all agreed at the start. They have a real teamwork mentality, we felt as much a part of their team as they became a part of ours. They are exceptional and we couldn’t have wished for better advisers.”
Tony Walford, Partner Green Square commented:
“It was an absolute pleasure to work with Piet Hein, Jose and Map at XXS Amsterdam. Not only is XXS a great business, but they are fabulous people and their ethos is reflected across the agency. Given XXS’s proposition, location and recent acquirer focus on the Netherlands, we had always assumed they would go to an overseas acquirer, but the extraordinary strategic and cultural fit with Candid was obvious from the start. We are proud to have negotiated and completed this transaction for them.”