Experiential Agency GPJ Acquires German-Based Boutique Design & Experience Design Studio The Sane Company

The Latest Investment is Part of GPJ’s Expansion and Commitment to German and European Markets


AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- George P. Johnson (GPJ), the world’s leading event and experience marketing agency, announced that it has acquired the German-based boutique design and experience design studio The Sane Company. This latest acquisition shows the strength of GPJ’s commitment to the German and European markets while also doubling down on expansion and doing so with an emphasis on breakthrough creative and experience design.

The Sane Company, which was founded in 2015 by architect Patrick Schmidt and Sabine Wiese, specializes in event and exhibition design, architectural planning, motion design, storytelling and more. GPJ and The Sane Company have a proven track record of working together on various accounts, projects and pitches including Bosch, MINI and Porsche.

“Welcoming the immensely talented group from The Sane Company into GPJ’s global network of creative minds and studios will allow us to deliver on even more creativity and strategy when planning events in Germany, Europe and beyond,” said Chris Meyer, CEO of GPJ.

The investment is being fostered by GPJ’s holding company, Project, in alignment with its passion and the increasing desire from clients for an elevated experience design.

“We know that stakes are higher than ever - in order to spend time away from family traveling to an event or taking time out of the workday to join a virtual or hybrid event, consumers have to be inspired and excited by the look and feel at every touchpoint,” said Oliver Ehmke, Managing Director of GPJ Germany. “With the integration of The Sane Company into our existing creative team, we are establishing a new creative powerhouse at Stuttgart to exceed the constantly growing demands of our existing and new clients in experience design and storytelling. This investment will help solidify GPJ’s vision of making the human experience priority #1.”

In addition to the German market expansion, GPJ is also finalizing its move into a brand-new headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Located directly in the creative heart of Stuttgart, the Marienplatz, the new 15,880 square foot office will be the home for the current GPJ team including The Sane Company team members. With over 90 employees at the start, the new space also allows further growth and will open in May 2022.

“At The Sane Company, our philosophy has always been that ‘story living’ is better than storytelling,” said Patrick Schmidt, Founder and CEO of The Sane Company. “Through relevant analogue and digital experiences, we transport brand identity into a hybrid space and thus create sustainable, interactive and successful communications with a human factor and can’t wait to join forces with GPJ who has been a long-time leader in event design, experience and execution.”

The investment in The Sane Company is the 2nd acquisition within 12 months after announcing a significant minority stake in GPJ's long-time partner NOMOBO, a full-service creative broadcasting and video production agency based in Amsterdam.

"The EMEA region is extremely important for our constant growth and our global customers, and we will therefore continue to invest in Europe," announced Chris Meyer, CEO of GPJ.

Financial details of the acquisition are not being released.

About George P. Johnson Experience Marketing
GPJ is the world’s leading experiential marketing agency. GPJ enables brand marketers to benefit from integrated experiential programs that leverage online, mobile and physical brand interactions fueled by data. Clients in technology, automotive, healthcare, consumer goods, finance, and other industries rely on GPJ to help them compete more effectively on a global basis by creating and accelerating relationships with customers, employees, partners, media, and other influencers. GPJ is part of Project Worldwide, a modern agency network built for the needs of contemporary marketers. Learn more at gpj.com.

About The Sane Company
The expertise of the Sane Company is the creation and construction of an impactful, concentrated, and consistent experience in a digital or real space. From event and exhibition design, architectural planning, motion design, storytelling and more, the Sane Company closes the gaps, round off the edges and link the visibility with the invisible. Learn more at thesanecompany.com.

Media Contacts:
Scott Kellner
Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing
George P. Johnson Experience Marketing
Tel: 408-410-9535
Scott.Kellner@gpj.com

Jeannie Evanchan
Vice President of Media Strategy
Praytell Agency
jeannie@praytellagency.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2295f97c-73cf-43c9-9a5c-9d1a008c89fe


Experiential Agency GPJ Acquires German-Based Boutique Design & Experience Design Studio The Sane Company