Claudine Colin Communication, France's leading arts and culture communications agency, has been acquired by the US-based marketing firm Finn Partners in a move its founder hopes will expand its international reach.
Based Les Halles, in the heart of Paris, Claudine Colin Communication has long been at the forefront of the development of France's cultural offer. Since being established in 1990, it has supported the creation of new institutions, both public and private, that are now key players both locally and internationally.
Today it employs 25 people and offers a range of services from press relations to media buying and crisis communication. Its clients include the Art Basel fairs, as well as Rencontres d'Arles, Luma Arles, the Cartier Foundation, the Centre Pompidou-Metz and the Picasso-Paris National Museum. It was also working on the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad and the Lyon Contemporary Art Biennial, which opens its 17th edition in September.
For more than two years, its founder Claudine Colin has been thinking about writing a new chapter in the company's history, both to ensure its continuity and to make it more international in scope. After several months of negotiations and transition work, an 100% sale to Finn Partners was agreed. The price of the acquisition has not been disclosed.
Finn Partners, founded in 2011, is one of the fastest growing independent agencies in the world, bringing in nearly $200 million annually from fees. The company employs more than 1,400 people in 34 offices across North America, Europe and Asia. Its base in the French capital is at 9 rue du Quatre Septembre, in the second arrondissement. The company operates in the arts sector through Polskin Arts, a leading cultural communications firm.
Claude Colin said in a statement: “My team and I are joining Finn Partners, with whom we share the values of high standards, rigor and independence. We have worked closely with Polskin Arts, a Finn Partners company, for many years in the field of art and culture. It is a natural next step for us to join forces and further extend the scope of the select international projects on which we already collaborate.”
Peter Finn, CEO and founder of Finn Partners, said in a statement: “We are very pleased to enhance our presence in Paris. We currently have 15 people in that office, who work with sustainability, technology, consumer and health clients. Now we have added the premier practice in the French arts sector, and together we have 40 people in Paris. We look forward to working together as one.” All teams are expected to be in shared offices in Paris within a year.
Claudine Colin Communication will become part of Finn Partners EMEA, led by Chantal Bowman-Boyles. Bowman-Boyles said in a statement: “France is the global centre of art and culture, and we are proud and excited to have Claudine’s team, with their unique knowledge and expertise, join us”.
Philippa Polskin, managing partner at Finn Partners, meanwhile said: “Claudine Colin Communication is recognised everywhere as the unchallenged leader in arts PR in France, as well as a major force in cultural communications throughout Europe. We welcome CCC warmly and are eager to continue our long history of collaboration with Claudine and her team, working side by side with them at FINN Partners at what is truly the forefront of cultural communications.”
Speaking to The Art Newspaper, Claudine Colin added: “It is an opening and an evolution, the opposite of a retreat or a retirement. I'm delighted to be writing this new chapter with Finn Partners Group and Polskin Arts.”.
The founder goes on to say that she will remain at the helm of the agency for a few more years and that the “smooth transition” will have no impact on current contracts.