Agency merger moves closer

A single national audience development organisation is to emerge from the ashes of the network of audience development agencies which have been forced to restructure following the loss of their Arts Council England subsidy (see AP235). The boards of All About Audiences, Audiences London and Audiences South West have agreed plans to merge into a single national agency, provisionally named Audiences Plus, which will be sustainable without regular core funding. This will be formed of hubs in the north and south of England, working with a network of expert advisers across the regions. Audiences South West will join with Audiences London to form the southern hub, serving the South West, South East and East, as well as London from early 2012. Decisions on the management structure for the new organisation will be made over the coming months.

A feasibility study by consultants Anne Millman and Graeme Jennings has concluded that the new national agency can deliver ‘world-class audience development services’ across England and take advantage of ‘considerable business opportunities’. Discussions are taking place with &Co, the cultural marketing house based in Yorkshire, and Cultivate in the East Midlands regarding options for the future. Audiences South closed its doors at the end of August 2011 and members of its team now work with Audiences London as regional associates. Audiences Central and Audiences North East have both announced that they will close on 31 March 2012.