J. Ilott links with world-wide agency

Press, 3 May 1977, Page 20

J. Ilott links with world-wide agency

J. Hott, Ltd, New Zealand, and George Patterson Pty, Ltd, Australia, have announced a share deal that will formalise the close relationship of the two advertis-i ing agencies over the last 40 years. Under the agreement George Patterson will acquire 20 per cent of the shareholding in J. Ilott, but the directorate and administration of J. Ilott will not be changed. The Patterson agency in, Australia was mainly financed by Ilott when it opened its doors in 1934, and Ilott has for many years held a 50 per cent sharei holding. Sir John Ilott was on the; board of- George Patterson until 1964. Although the Ilott interest in Pattersons;

,ceased in that year, the , close personal, ties and working relations between : executives of both companies continued. The new arrangement links Ilott with Ted Bates and Company, Inc, New York, which ranks fifth in the largest agency organisations in the world. For many years Ilott has had a minor shareholding in the Ted Bates agency in South Cast Asia with offices at Singapore. Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong. The share purchase by George Patterson will give Ilott direct access to the 25 Bates offices in Europe and North America, as well as ' South East Asia, with all the attendant benefits of overseas market information and i development.