Brussels, September 11^th, 2024 – In a year marked by economic uncertainty and global challenges, Serviceplan Group, Europe’s largest independent agency group, has reported an 11% increase in revenue, reaching €818 million for the 2023/24 fiscal year. This result, driven by client gains, international recognition, and bolstered by growth in global presence, underscores the Group’s emphasis on innovative approaches and strategic planning.

Florian Haller, CEO of Serviceplan Group, comments on the results: “We were able to achieve significant growth across all agency areas. My thanks go to all colleagues worldwide who made this possible. Together, we focused on our strengths, advanced digitalization, and launched important growth initiatives. Our investments in future-oriented structures, such as AI Labs, and our commitment to trends and innovations have paid off, culminating in strong results. With this growth, the Serviceplan Group not only exceeds the international industry average but also continues its consistent growth trajectory of recent years.”

In Brussels, Serviceplan Group Belux has achieved remarkable success, with an impressive growth rate of 9%and an overall gross margin of nearly 14 million euros. This growth is driven by our client-centric approach, where we offer not just a SERVICE but a PLAN. This means that the diverse experts within our House of Communication are equipped to support our clients’ businesses through every phase—from strategic briefing to optimizing performance reporting. With clients like Aldi, BMW, and Decathlon, all leaders in their respective sectors, our agency demonstrates that we meet the expectations of today’s modern advertisers.

Peter Vande Graveele, CEO of Serviceplan Group Belux: “This year marks a significant milestone as our agency celebrates its tenth anniversary. I am incredibly proud that in just ten years, our House of Communication has risen to become one of the top 10 integrated agencies in Belgium. Despite the financial pressures facing our sector, as highlighted by the ACC and UMA, our agency continues not only to grow but also to remain profitable. We have built a strong foundation that allows us to look to the future with optimism, driven by a vision where innovation is deeply embedded, and respect for humanity in all its forms is at the core of everything we do.”

KEY GROWTH AREAS AND STRATEGIC WINS

Serviceplan Group’s success this fiscal year is attributed to several key factors, including significant client and account gains, cross-brand collaborations, and a series of international awards across all agency brands. The integrated agency group operates under its Houses of Communication model, where all agencies and talents from various disciplines work together under one roof, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.

In Belgium and Luxembourg, the last fiscal year was marked by the acquisition of key clients such as ICI Paris XL (direct marketing), Abbott (media), Ginetex (design), Emile Weber (branding), BPost Group (digital and direct marketing), Vanharen (media), Spin Master (media), and Südtirol (media).

A YEAR OF INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

Serviceplan Group’s achievements were further validated by numerous accolades from prestigious industry awards. The Group was named Independent Network of the Year by CRESTA, Global Independent Network by LIA, and Independent Agency Network of the Year at D&AD 2024. Additionally, Serviceplan Group ranked 3rd among "Independent Networks" in the WARC Creative 100, highlighting its creative leadership on a global scale.

Mediaplus also excelled in media, being crowned the world's best independent agency by RECMA. In the international "Media 100" WARC Ranking, Mediaplus ranked 3rd in the "Agencies Overall" category and 1st among "Independent Agencies." This recognition underscores the Group’s strength in media planning and buying, further enhancing its reputation in the industry.

Also, in Belgium, Serviceplan celebrated a major milestone by winning its first Gold Cannes Lion, an outstanding recognition of the agency’s creativity and innovation on the global stage.  In Luxembourg, the positioning campaign for public transport company Emile Weber was awarded the title of 'Campaign of the Year' by Adada. These awards further solidify Serviceplan Belux’s role as a key player in the Group’s international success. 

Also in Belgium, Mediaplus, the media agency of Serviceplan Group, was nominated as a “Trends Gazelle”, highlighting the rapid growth of this independent media agency, a serious alternative to the large groups.

Finally, Plan.Net, the MarTech agency of Serviceplan Group, ranked 3rd in the top 100 digital agencies in Belgium, as established by Digimedia."

Additionally, as we are in a people business, Serviceplan Group Belux is proud to have been recognized with its second "Great Place to Work" label. This recognition underscores the agency’s commitment to creating an outstanding work environment that fosters collaboration, growth, and employee satisfaction. It further strenghtens the agency’s reputation as an employer of choice and highlights its dedication to building a positive and engaging workplace culture.

OUTLOOK FOR 2024/25: STAYING #FUTUREPOSITIVE AND FOCUSING ON CREATION

Despite mixed economic conditions and modest upward revisions in global growth forecasts by the OECD and IMF, the Group embraces the challenges and opportunities of the ever-evolving market, remaining committed in its #futurepositive approach.

Florian Haller elaborates: “#futurepositive is more than just a slogan or a headline. When a sense of hopelessness and paralysis begins to spread – especially in society and the marketing world – it signals the need for a shift in perspective. Those who approach the future with a positive mindset and focus on new opportunities and possibilities are far more likely to find solutions and achieve meaningful results. By embracing curiosity, confidence, and courage, we can shape not only our own future but also the future of the companies and brands we represent – and I am deeply convinced of this.”

For the 2024/2025 fiscal year, Serviceplan Group aims to build on its successes by focusing on key areas such as continuing to drive the AI initiative, establishing a House of Communication in the UK, and advancing in Cultural Marketing, 1st Party Data, and Spatial Computing.

In Belux, the focus will be firmly placed on creativity, highlighted by the arrival of Philippe Fass as the new Executive Creative Director. This appointment reflects Serviceplan Group’s ongoing investment in multi-awarded talent to drive its creative ambitions forward. 

While creativity remains a central pillar, Serviceplan is also committed to pushing the boundaries of Artificial Intelligence in Belgium. In Brussels, the group is making significant efforts to exploit AI to its fullest potential, reinforcing its position as a leader in the industry. 

Peter Vande Graveele: "At Serviceplan Belux, we are doubling down on creativity with the appointment of Philippe Fass as our new Executive Creative Director. His arrival reflects our commitment to bringing in world-class talent to push our creative ambitions to new heights. By fostering innovation and driving breakthrough work, we aim to set a new benchmark for creativity in the Belux market. Alongside this, we are also focused on harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence, building a dedicated AI taskforce in Brussels to merge cutting-edge technology with our creative vision, ensuring we continue to lead the industry with exceptional results."