London Firm Swaps Names for Number

London-based insight agency Matt & John has been re-named - or renumbered - 7bn, reflecting the recently passed global population milestone.

The firm was founded in 2009 by Matt Pattison and John Curran, who met while working at innovation and design consultancy PDD.

Pattison is a 'human factors' specialist, design strategist and former clinician, who has designed and delivered programs for clients seeking to create new hospital, store, home and workplace environments. Curran describes himself as a business anthropologist and brand and marketing strategist who specialises in creating insights and strategies for clients both in the commercial and public sectors.

Explaining the re-brand, Pattison said: 'At a time when the world population is tipping over 7 billion, we are increasingly being asked to unravel the complexity of need and behaviour for our clients. The company will have a focus on partnering with clients to explore the landscapes of human experience and to create truly thoughtful innovative outcomes that feed into stakeholders' global market strategies.'

Their new site is being developed at www.7bn.co.uk , while their previous site can be found at: www.mattandjohn.co.uk .

[NB not to be confused with Texas-based behavioural targeting firm 7 Billion People (www.7bpeople.com ), who appear to have anticipated global efforts at reproduction by at least two and a half years].