Australian Firm LKS Joins Landor Associates; Acquisition Reinforces Landor's Focus on Growth Markets.

SYDNEY, Australia -- WPP company Landor Associates, a leading global brand strategy and design firm, today announced that it has acquired Australian branding firm LKS. The two firms have maintained an affiliate relationship since 1999.

"Landor sets the global standard for brand strategy and design, and LKS is the industry leader in Australia -- it's a natural fit for both firms," said Craig Branigan, Chairman and CEO of Landor. "We are focusing significant resources in growth regions, and by planting a stake in the ground in Australia, Landor is fulfilling its strategic vision and commitment to serving clients in that region."

LKS will become Landor's Australian office, joining a global network that now includes 22 cities in 17 countries. LKS Managing Director Michael Graham will continue to oversee operations in Australia. Founding partner and LKS Creative Director Mike Staniford will also remain, continuing the firm's commitment to breakthrough creative solutions.

"LKS is proud to be joining Landor -- we have a lot to gain from each other," said Graham. "LKS will help Landor extend its global coverage, while Landor's unrivaled network and resources will enable us to serve our regional clients more comprehensively. We've spent the last few years developing a formidable strategic capability to augment our creative expertise, and the move to Landor will build upon this foundation. We already have a great team and now it includes the people across Landor's network too."

One of the oldest and most recognized branding firms in the world, Landor's growth over the past six decades has been mostly organic. Prior to LKS, its most recent acquisition was of Chicago brand strategy firm St. James in 1999.

Since its establishment in 1979 LKS has conducted major branding programs for blue chip Australian organisations such as ASX, Foster's Group, Qantas, Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Promina (formerly Royal & SunAlliance). Other major local clients include Diageo, Goodman Fielder, Nestle and The Smith's Snackfood Company. Most recently, LKS has completed work for Bundaberg Rum, Fuji Xerox and Red Rock Deli.

About Landor

Landor Associates is a leading global brand strategy and design consultancy. Founded by industry pioneer Walter Landor in 1941, we have a rich heritage of brand strategy and design leadership. Partnering with our clients, we drive business transformation and business performance through strategic branding.

Our holistic approach to branding builds on the combined rigor of our disciplined thinking and process and our exceptional creativity. Landor's work spans the full breadth of branding services, including but not limited to brand positioning, brand equity management, brand architecture, brand research, brand valuation, corporate identity, consumer branding, brand engagement, branded environments, naming and nomenclature systems, writing and digital branding.

With more than 20 offices in 17 countries, Landor has an unrivaled client portfolio and has created brands for organizations such as Frito-Lay, BP, Procter & Gamble, FedEx, NYSE (The New York Stock Exchange), Microsoft, Delta Air Lines, France Telecom, Pfizer, Ford, HP, Bradesco Bank, Accenture and the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Nagano and Salt Lake City.

Landor is a division of Young & Rubicam Brands, which is part of WPP -- one of the world's leading global communications services groups.