Independent media agencies band under new global network, Local Planet

A consortium of the world’s leading independent media agencies has joined forces to launch Local Planet, a new global media agency network.

At launch, Local Planet operates in over 40 markets across the world and includes India’s Percept Media, Horizon Media in the US, the UK’s the7stars, Spain’s Zertem Communication Group, Italy’s Media Italia, Germany’s pilot, France’s CoSpirit MediaTrack, and Sweden’s Tre Kronor among its founder shareholder agencies.

Martyn Rattle, formerly Global CEO of Vizeum and Global Chief Client Officer of Aegis Media, has been named Global CEO of Local Planet. Bill Koenigsberg, President, Founder and CEO of Horizon Media, has been named Chairman of the new network.

The Local Planet network will focus on client service and media solutions on the ground and will provide its international clients with a level playing field in accessing international strategy, value, transparency, technology and talent.

All the main shareholder agencies’ founders and leaders will sit on the newly formed Local Planet Group Board, leveraging the talents and experience of some of the leading names in the media industry.

“CoSpirit MediaTrack was a founder agency of Columbus Media International, a collective of highly respected and like-minded local, independent media agencies, sharing the same values and passion for providing clients with tailored, best-in-class, local media services and solutions,” said Florian Grill, Founder and CEO of CoSpirit MediaTrack, France and Board Director, Local Planet.

“Market developments and the changing needs of international clients have inspired us to evolve the Columbus model. We have, therefore, chosen an internationally experienced global CEO, supported by a senior network team, who will help us take the best of Columbus and create a genuine, globally competitive network that will appeal to a range of international clients who are looking for a different international agency partnership solution. We are, therefore, now launching Local Planet, a privately owned global media agency network, the only one of its kind,” said Jose Luis de Rojas, CEO, Zertem Communications Group, Spain and Board Director, Local Planet.

“We know that many international marketers are looking for an alternative to the holding company model, a more agile and service oriented solution built around their specific needs,” said Martyn Rattle, Global CEO of Local Planet. “The shared experiences of starting successful independent agencies from scratch are an important factor behind Local Planet and its culture. Each one of Local Planet’s agencies has started, grown and succeeded by fighting for and on behalf of their clients. We are now bringing that start-up, independent spirit to our global network. We are looking forward to working together with international clients in the pursuit of shared success.”

The Local Planet model also allows it to offer its clients best-in-market, tailored technology and data solutions through its local and international partnerships, rather than offering a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

The network agencies currently work with some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including Geico, Capital One, Nike, Ikea, Viacom, Pfizer, H&M and Kayak, among others.

Local Planet has access to more than 3,000 staff, and boasts billings in excess of $10 billion.