• January 22, 2026

Brandfuel announces US joint venture

Brandfuel announces US joint venture

Brandfuel announces US joint venture 1024 683 micebook.

Brandfuel has agreed a US expansion deal that includes a joint venture with Worth Media Group in New York and a minority investment from Worth’s parent company, Clarim Holdings.

The creative experiential agency said the sale of a minority equity stake to Clarim marks a new phase for the business as it approaches its 21st year, giving it a New York base alongside Worth and a dedicated US team to grow its portfolio of experiential projects across the United States.

Clarim Holdings was founded in 2018 by US entrepreneur, public speaker and author Jim McCann, best known for building 1-800-Flowers.com. Under the agreement, McCann will join Brandfuel’s board as chairman, advising on US market opportunities and helping the agency build reach into new sectors.

Brandfuel said its overseas work has been growing consistently in the past few years, particularly in the US. The agency was founded in 2005 by David Ball, who died in November 2025.

CEO and co-founder Sue Sawyer said Ball was hugely excited by the opportunities offered by working with Worth and Clarim.

“We had been discussing the finer details of this transatlantic arrangement for several months when David died and he was determined that we should not miss such a wonderful opportunity for the future of Brandfuel,” said Sawyer. “We are so sad that he did not live to see the deal sealed, but we are delighted to fulfil the plans we had been working on with him.”

For McCann, Ball’s legacy is also an important aspect of the joint venture. “Brandfuel has built an extraordinary reputation under David and Sue’s leadership – one rooted in creativity, integrity, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence,” he said.

“David’s vision lives on in the culture of the business, and it’s an honour for Clarim to support the next chapter of a company he cared so deeply about.”

Paul Stamoulis, Clarim’s managing partner, added: “Brandfuel understands how to deliver at the highest level for exceptional clients. Worth understands how to convene the right audience around the most important conversations. That intersection is where we see real long-term value together and the opportunity to extend and strengthen something enduring in the US market.”

 

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