MBOs Bring Independence to 3arc and 3arc Social

In Australia, marketing consulting and solutions firm The Illuminera Group has sold two of its subsidiaries to their management teams: MD Matt Bond has bought insights and strategy agency 3arc, and Kerry Sproston, also MD, is now the owner of public sector policy insights specialist 3arc Social.

Illuminera was founded in 2007 as a consulting and research firm, and now employs more than 200 consultants in locations worldwide. Its solutions include developing growth roadmaps to position major brands, guiding innovation for both products and business models, and boosting advertising ROI via storytelling and/or data-driven media placement optimisation. The group functions as a collection of distinct boutique agencies.

Just over a year ago Illuminera sold its financial services behaviour profiles dataset DBM Atlas to FS insights firm RFI Global, for an undisclosed sum, and announced it would bring two of its remaining divisions, DBM Social and '3arc by DBM' into closer alignment - the former became 3arc Social and the latter simply 3arc.

3arc is led by former EY Consulting Practice Director Bond, and serves public and private sector clients across Asia Pacific, specialising in strategic customer intelligence, and guiding clients through subsequent creation and activation. The team offers qual and quant research and a mixture of tradition methods with newer frameworks and technology.

DBM Social - now 3arc Social, was set up in 2021 by Sproston to conduct research and evaluation in the public sector, including not-for-profit organisations, and its services include problem gambling research, public health, and transport, in addition to program and communications evaluations. The boutique, which has grown rapidly, focuses on vulnerable populations, 'complex and challenging' projects, and increasingly academic collaborations. Sproston is an Honorary Professor of Nottingham Trent University.

Bond comments: 'It has been incredibly rewarding to watch 3arc flourish from a vision conceived in 2022. We identified a clear gap in the market for research and insights that seamlessly connect traditional approaches with strategy and activation. It's encouraging to see a diverse range of clients, from local to international, embracing our approach and joining us on this journey. Working with the team at Illuminera has been fantastic, and I am deeply grateful for their support'.

Sproston says she is proud of what the firm has achieved, and 'excited for what the future holds as a fully independent, Australian-owned organisation'. She adds: 'I have an exceptional team of specialist social researchers, who are dedicated to informing policy and making a positive impact on society'.

Illuminera's CEO International Chris Riquier says one of the group's visions is 'to continually foster the growth of new boutiques worldwide, owned and led by the founders of these businesses', and adds: 'Kerry and Matt have lived this vision and we wish them continued growth on their future journey'.

Web sites: www.illuminera.com and www.3arc.co .