MediaSense Acquires R3

MediaSense, a UK-based marketing consultancy, has announced its acquisition of R3, a global creative consultancy. This move aligns with MediaSense’s plans to expand its expertise beyond media operations into creative and marketing, specifically enhancing its presence in North America and the Asia Pacific region. Together, the combined businesses will support brands with over $60 billion in marketing and media investment.

The acquisition marks MediaSense’s second significant expansion within six months, following its purchase of PwC’s UK marketing advisory team. With the addition of R3’s capabilities, MediaSense will offer an integrated approach to creative, content, media, and data governance—a demand increasingly voiced by clients. MediaSense has previously advised on major media agency pitches, including Amazon and Unilever, while R3 has worked on creative assignments for brands such as McDonald’s and Samsung.

This acquisition will also nearly double MediaSense’s workforce to around 230 employees, with new leadership roles for R3’s co-founders, Greg Paull and Shufen Goh. Paull will become President of Global Growth, while Goh will lead as President of APAC. R3’s brand will remain active to maintain its reputation in creative operations and agency pitches.

Chief Executive Graham Brown stated that MediaSense’s growth strategy is driven by evolving client needs for unified advice across disciplines and geographies. With an increasingly complex marketing landscape, Brown emphasized MediaSense’s commitment to offering objective, independent counsel, distinct from firms with vested interests in advertising platforms or technology. Looking ahead, MediaSense plans to focus on integrating R3 and PwC’s former advisory team, with future acquisitions under consideration to further diversify its capabilities.

MediaSense already serves a range of clients within the pharma industry, including Bayer and Sanofi, and this acquisition aims to strengthen its capabilities in pitch management, operational efficiency, and investment management for a broader global client base, bolstered by R3’s enhanced geographic footprint.