Emperor acquires Tsuko as brand industry struggles

A SCOTTISH branding and design agency has been acquired by a larger national firm with offices in Edinburgh.

Susanna Freedman, managing director of Tsuko, will join the board of Emperor after selling the firm she founded for an undisclosed sum.

It is a first acquisition for Emperor, which has offices in London and Birmingham. The corporate report and digital communications agency’s clients include Cairn Energy, Cunard and Stagecoach. The move sees about 14 Tsuko staff moving to Emperor’s office in Edinburgh’s west end, where it employs 13 people.

Freedman’s team will become the basis of a brand consultancy division for Emperor as it expands.

Founding director of Emperor Steve Kemp said: “Our business had grown from two people with an Apple Mac in 1996 and, with Susanna coming, that now brings us up to 104 people.

“We have grown with no debts and have expanded significantly, with a digital team employing 40 people. We are one of the largest producers of annual reports in the UK. This deal opens opportunities for other work.”

The firms joined forces after collaborating on joint pitches and on client work in the past six months.

Kemp said: “The fit was so strong we have been discussing her coming on board and Emperor offering a much stronger branding capability. We are committed to growth in our Scottish business.

“We have managed to establish from our Scottish office a good niche in Ireland and we are also working internationally with Middle Eastern and Russian companies.

“Brand awareness and brand engagement are fundamental to every business and, while branding has always been an important element of our work, we believe that, with Susanna and Tsuko’s expertise, we can capitalise on the opportunities to advise and work with clients to a far greater level.”

Freedman, who set up Tsuko in 1998 and went on to win work with Edinburgh University, Land Securities and the UK India Business Council, said: “It is quite a big thing after building the agency for so many years.

“There will be opportunity to grow in Scotland which is really exciting for our industry which has been hit so hard in this environment.”

Tsuko’s team will relocate from its offices at the Shore.