16 September 2009 - 11:11am | by Staff Writer | 18 comments

Bourne is born with impending Curious Group Administration

The Drum has learned that following resignations by most of the staff of the digital division of the Curious Group, a new digital marketing agency has launched as a result.

It is understood that the resignations of around 30 staff came as Curious Group nears administration, which is expected to take place this week.

The creation of Bourne is thought to have happened with the realisation by senior digital members of staff at Curious Group of the historical debt being carried by Curious Group from as far back as 2006 when Coltas merged with Curious Oranj.

The agency, which has offices in Glasgow, London and New York, has been set up as a new entity with external financial investment and begins cash positive.

Bourne, which will be headed up by Dan Kersh, is already working with clients such as Dell, Ricoh, McAfee, Salesforce and is in the final stages of pitching for work with Microsoft and American Express.

No one from Bourne could be contacted for comment at the time of writing.

More on the impending administration of The Curious Group as it comes in.

Updated:

Kersh explained to The Drum that he was unable to discuss developments at The Curious Group but was able to outline his hopes for the newly formed agency which officially launched on Monday: "We can't really comment on the situation at Curious Group but we hope that Bourne will go onto bigger and better things in the future... Our vision is simple. We want to produce great work, with a focused team of specialists working in an environment that allows for creativity, innovation and growth."

 
 

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 13:14
Anonymous's picture

The only surprise is it took so long.

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 13:32
Anonymous's picture

so what happened at 'curious' then? were they not taking over the world at one time!

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 14:02
Anonymous's picture

I wonder who came up with the Bourne Identity?

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 16:22
Anonymous's picture

let run a sweep to see how long it takes for this company to go to the wall

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 16:41
Anonymous's picture

is it the whole group that is going down?

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 16:45
Anonymous's picture

"pitching for work with Microsoft and American Express'.
means nothing until you have won it!! and how much work are they actually getting of these so call massive client obviously not enought to pay the bills

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 16:56
Anonymous's picture

Think the clue might be in the article 'historical debt'. For all we know they might be trading very profitably but with a millstone round their neck. If Curious Group is to be wound up then expect debt and those directors associated with that debt to disappear. Bourne again...

16 Sep 2009 - 17:06
david_aylesbury's picture

Good luck to you guys. It's tuff out there. We should show some support. What goes around comes around...

Hope you win your pitches.

16 Sep 2009 - 17:42
greig_anderson's picture

A typically Scottish response here, many looking for the negatives, how about in times of economic uncertainty celebrating seeing a new agency emerge and with a impressive client list to boot. The Scottish design community needs to learn to pull together as we are stronger that way. I for one wish the guys all the best in the new venture.

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 20:23
Anonymous's picture

'typically Scottish response'?

'impressive client list to boot'?

explain please...

PS:

'pull together'?

come on!!!

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 20:25
Anonymous's picture

Whatever happened to the two Stephen's that started Curious Oranj?

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 20:27
Anonymous's picture

I think one of them is still at Curious Group, not sure which one...

Good luck to the new company

Anonymous (not verified)
16 Sep 2009 - 22:58
Anonymous's picture

Interesting take on events...
There are always two sides to every story and as usual people comment without knowing any of the facts whatsoever...

17 Sep 2009 - 00:59
greig_anderson's picture

@Anoymous who quotes my post, if you want to ask questions have the common courtesy to introduce yourself. This anonymous posting is exactly what I am talking about, grow up please.

Anonymous (not verified)
17 Sep 2009 - 01:06
Anonymous's picture

For the record, Stephen Halpin left Curious in February to start Merchant Soul.

Anonymous (not verified)
17 Sep 2009 - 23:42
Anonymous's picture

Can we just clarify that any speculation about directors seems to have nothing to do with this story? Isn't the whole point of this that the directors have been ditched and the staff have broken out on their own?

Anonymous (not verified)
18 Sep 2009 - 08:39
Anonymous's picture

if this 'new' company has started trading - is there a web address?

Anonymous (not verified)
18 Sep 2009 - 08:41
Anonymous's picture

'Stephen Halpin left Curious in February to start Merchant Soul' - not heard of this mob anyone know what they are working on? was SH pushed or did he see the writing on the wall

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