A challenging decade in the 00s left the business in a strong position heading into our third decade. Our work was seen on every continent across the globe, from video and multimedia programmes across the UK and Europe, to events in Asia, Canada and South Africa.
Heavy investment into the digital business continued throughout the early part of the decade in recognition of the impact the new technology would have on all areas of the business. We made our first acquisition as drpgroup in 2011: Birmingham-based digital company MS Internet. The MS team were integrated quickly into our existing digital team. The acquisition was hugely successful and the department has continued to grow significantly.
With the whole of the UK celebrating in 2012, we were immensely proud to play a significant role in delivering projects for the Golden Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics & Paralympics, producing Olympic-based projects for five of the major sponsors, from films to digital solutions and events. The largest involvement saw us staging the flame festivals and torch relays for Sainsbury's and the Paralympics.
Building on this success, we launched the largest series of improvements and investments in the company's history. The company moved into a purpose-built new studio complex, creating the largest corporate communication and production facility of its kind in Europe, positioning us as the only company in the UK that can boast a fully integrated, totally in-house service. The new facility was officially opened in June with a spectacular launch event.
Further acquisitions saw GROSVENORFILM, a well-established Soho-based film and video production company, come on board and the team continued to grow. In the build-up to the 35th year, it was time to update the brand, with a cleaner, fresher look and feel – with DRPG emerging as the new branded name.
Further investment into new facilities and technologies in 2016 saw the complex in Hartlebury double in size, with the creation of a new construction workshop area and an increase in warehouse capabilities. We also launched a flagship thought leadership event: DRPG BigTalk.
Investing in the growth of the business, we acquired Windsor-based events agency Penguins and corporate film specialists HMX, diversifying our client base and services portfolio while increasing the team to a record 221 people across four locations.
New schemes, including the government-approved event management apprenticeship programme and new clients such as North One Television, the production company behind the hugely successful ‘The Gadget Show’, led to 47.6% growth. It also led to sales of over £31.5million, 21 new clients and recruitment of 82 new team members in just one year.
The end of the decade marked a global expansion.
We launched in Cologne, Fenton, Dublin and Belfast, increasing the group’s locations to seven, while a multi-million-pound expansion of the facilities includes a 15,000 sq ft extension to house the digital design and motion graphics studios, a team wellbeing centre, dedicated space for DRPG Academy training and a rooftop recreational terrace.
An incredible decade including two royal visits, four acquisitions, a global rebranding and a multi-million-pound expansion, the 10s were great years for DRPG and set us on the fantastic path we’re on heading into the 20s. To find out more about our history check out these stories on the 80s, 90s and 00s.
