H+A makes the connection to form unified marketing company

MARKETING companies, H+A Visual Communications and Connection Marketing Communications have merged to create the H+A Marketing Group.

The two Cork-based companies have a combined workforce of 17 which they plan to increase 20.

Brian Healy, who set up H+A - a design and advertising consultancy - in 1999, will become managing director.

Pat Kierans, founder of Connection, which specialises in the development and implementation of marketing campaigns, will take on the role of executive director.

Prior to setting up Connection, Mr Kierans was the head of marketing at Thomas Crosbie Holdings and was previously the marketing manager at Bulmers Ireland.

H+A Marketing Group will be chaired by Harry Lorton, the former chief executive of TSB Bank.

Mr Healy said: “H+A and Connection share a common philosophy and culture of providing clients with integrated solutions to their marketing needs.

“This is something quite different, our group is now strategically placed to offer clients every conceivable service associated with marketing their products and promoting their corporate goals.”

Mr Kierans said: “Clients, quite rightly, are becoming more demanding of their agencies. They are increasingly recognising the benefit of strategically-based, integrated marketing plans.

“We believe that the new group will be pre-eminent in this space, particularly, given that the services we offer are not available anywhere outside of Dublin.”