Top 50 independents

T

here was no change at the top of the independents table this year. Edelman remains the UK’s largest independent PR agency with a fee income some £9m higher than its closest competitor Engine. It is difficult to see any agency taking Edelman’s crown in the future, as even in the dismal

Engine’s performance in 2009 was exceptionally impressive. Its fee income grew by 48 per cent to £16.14m. Engine’s performance is examined in more detail in the key performers section.

Last year was not such a good year for Lansons Communications, traditionally a strong performer in the independents table. The agency saw its fee income reduce by 13 per cent. However, it is worth noting Lansons has a strong financial services

division that will undoubtedly have been affected by the recession. Financial services agencies overall did not excel in 2009.

Exposure was a strong new entry both to the Top 150 overall and the Top 50 independents in 2009. The agency took the number five slot in the independents table, with a growth in fee income in 2009 of 35 per cent.

Exposure also features in the key performers section. Further down the table, fee income grew at 3 Monkeys, Eulogy, Galliard Healthcare Communications and Way To Blue. Golley Slater, Munro & Forster Communications and PPS Group fared less well and all saw their fee income drop in 2009.

There were some strong new entries at the bottom of the independents table this year. Cirkle Communications has entered the table at number 46, with an 18 per cent growth in fee income. Leeds-based Brahm PR has also crept in at number 50, with a fee income growth of 14 per cent in 2009.

The only notable omission from the table this year was healthcare shop Tonic Life Communications, which was acquired by the Huntsworth Group in July 2009.