GCP realises its investment in Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR), the award-winning global strategic branding agency

GCP is delighted to announce that it has realised its investment in JKR, the award-winning global strategic branding agency.

Established in 1990 and with studios in London and New York, JKR specialises in brand consultancy, brand identity and brand experience. Its clients include some of the world’s largest brands, such as Coca-Cola, Ford, Walmart, Stella Artois, Yahoo, Heinz, M&M’S and KFC.

In our partnership with the JKR team, we have supported the business to double down on the US growth opportunity, win prestigious brands in new sectors (e.g., Technology, Financial Services, Automotive, Media & Entertainment, Healthcare), and build out deeper creative and strategic capabilities across the wider brand experience. Throughout, JKR has continued to invest in the world’s leading talent, underpinning its ability to deliver outstanding work for the world’s most valuable brands.

At the core of our partnership has been our collective belief in the power of the brand, expressed via world-class creativity, and its role in cutting through in an ever-complex media and content landscape.

GCP’s partnership with JKR reflects its commitment to supporting ambitious, highly specialist, creative businesses within the Knowledge Economy.

GCP will be succeeded as JKR’s investment partner by Breakwater Management, a Los Angeles based private equity firm.

Liam Bennett, Investment Director, GCP, commented: “JKR has been a brilliant partner to work with, and it’s been a privilege to support the team as they’ve grown JKR into one of the most awarded and respected branding agencies in the world. We’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved, and excited to see JKR continue to deliver brilliant, brand defining and distinctive creative work.’’

James Nixon, Global CEO, JKR, commented: “Partnering with GCP has been transformative for JKR. They understood our business and our ambition from day one, and their support has helped us expand into new markets and invest in the brilliant people who make this agency what it is. This next chapter is a testament to the hard work of the whole JKR team, and we’re grateful for GCP’s partnership in helping us get here as we continue to build the branding business of the future, while safeguarding the distinct identity that has defined JKR since it was founded.”

About JKR

Since 1990, JKR has helped some of the world’s most iconic brands — from Burger King, Coca-Cola, KFC and Stella Artois to Uber, Sporting Lisbon, Yahoo and Walmart — be who they are, only more so. Guided by a simple philosophy, Be Distinctive Everywhere, JKR creates innovative brand strategies, identities and experiences that amplify what makes each brand unique.

About GCP

Growth Capital Partners (GCP) was founded in 1999 and has a proven track record of successfully building genuine investment partnerships with founders in ambitious, highly specialist businesses that power the Knowledge Economy. With deep expertise in the Technology and Specialist Services sectors, GCP is currently investing from GCP Fund VI, and bringing valuable strategic support, tools for scaling, and extensive experience in helping people-driven businesses to unlock innovation, drive long term sustainable growth, and build the businesses of the future.