Hire Performers, the Perth-based advertising and marketing communications recruitment company, has been acquired by the global firm Aquent, bringing a new level of professional access to Perth executives in the brand communications industries.

Hire Performers will change its name to Aquent as a result of the acquisition and Hire Performers owner Karen Thomson will be managing director of the company. Aquent is also a firm specializing in advertising, creative, marketing and communications recruitment.

“I saw Aquent’s acquisition of Hire Performers as the perfect synergy for my company,” said Ms Thomson. “New and existing clients now have a broader array of specialties from which to choose and a larger candidate pool to service them. They will also benefit from Aquent’s expertise, experience and reach in the creative, marketing, PR, advertising and media industries in Australia — and globally.”

Aquent Perth will be part of the Aquent Australia network, which also comprises offices in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. With Hire Performers included, the company will have staff of 140 people and is the largest company servicing the advertising, creative, marketing and communications recruitment sector.

Greg Savage, CEO of Aquent Asia Pacific, who negotiated the deal with Thomson, said the addition of the Perth-based business was a key element in the company’s progress. “During the past three years, Aquent has embarked on a carefully mapped expansion and growth strategy. With the acquisition of Hire Performers, we now have an unmatched delivery model to service our clients and candidates.”

“Hire Performers and Aquent have been very successful in their niche and have both shared a real commitment to the quality of the service they provide,” said Savage. “This commitment to service will continue into the future with the added benefit of enhanced resources and candidate reach.”