Socialites Group and The Social Club have combined their strengths to now offer New Zealand’s largest influencer marketing agency.
The acquisition itself was competed over Zoom during the Covid-19 lockdown, with the deal finalised and taking effect on May 21.
Socialites, which celebrates its tenth birthday this year, is headed by Wendy Thompson and Mel Spencer. Both who come with an extensive background in creating integrated influencer marketing strategies.
Their work covers strategy, campaign creation, content production, community management, social listening and Chinese social media for clients that include Microsoft, Fisher & Paykel, New World, The Warehouse and Mitre 10.
“I’ve known Georgia since she first started The Social Club and have always deeply respected the business she has built,” says Wendy Thompson. “Given they are the number one influencer agency in Australasia, this acquisition brings us technologies, processes and reporting functionalities that can’t be matched.”
The Social Club, headed by Georgia McGillivray, was founded in 2015 and by 2016 was touted as New Zealand’s largest marketing influencer company. McGillivray will be stepping away from the business after a three mont transition period.
The acquisition will further strengthen Socialites offering, as The Social Club delivers deliver its database of 11,000 registered influencers and content creators across New Zealand and Australia – the largest influencer marketing database in the region.
McGillivray says the acquisition is a “match made in heaven”, given the two companies’ core values, culture, and vision for the future of social media are aligned.
“The Social Club team and I are thrilled to hand the mantle over to Socialites to continue to deliver the best-in-class social media and influencer solutions for our clients,” she says.
“From our very first conversation with Wendy and Mel, it was clear that we have the same view on the future of social and influencer marketing and our digital first focus.
“Now more than ever, brands are turning to social to engage with their customers. Therefore, combining the two market-leading social and influencer agencies in the country will create one powerful team who will continue to lead the industry and keep their clients one step ahead of the rest.
“Having watched and admired Wendy and Mel throughout their Socialites journey, I have no doubt that I leave The Social Club in very good hands.”
