Koto acquires international creative studio Stereo to strengthen global creative capabilities

Dow Schofield Watts advised Koto on the acquisition of Stereo Creative.

The DSW team comprised Gregg Pendlington, Alex Odlin, and Ben McKie from the Corporate Finance team in the North West.

The acquisition represents an important strategic milestone for Koto, enhancing its international reach, creative capabilities, and ability to serve clients seeking integrated brand, digital, and creative solutions. Bringing together the expertise of both businesses creates a larger global platform with complementary capabilities and talent.

As Koto continues its growth journey, the acquisition further strengthens its position as a leading international agency, expanding its team and broadening the services available to clients across multiple markets.

James Greenfield, CEO at Koto, said, “This is an important milestone for Koto and a strong first acquisition for the business since WestBridge’s investment last year. Stereo brings an outstanding client portfolio, complementary capabilities, and further builds on Koto’s well-established international scale and US presence.”

Gregg Pendlington, Partner at Dow Schofield Watts, added, “We are delighted to have advised Koto on this strategic acquisition. Stereo is a highly regarded creative business and a strong fit with Koto’s ambitious growth plans. The transaction further demonstrates our experience supporting high-growth, private equity-backed businesses on their acquisition strategies, and we wish the combined team every success for the future.”