Blackjack Promotions, a leading UK and European provider of brand ambassadors and travel retail and customer service specialists in airports, has acquired Irish company Casey Recruitment, based just outside Dublin.
Founded in 1998 by Managing Director Mary Kelly, Casey Recruitment is Ireland’s leading provider of temporary and permanent staff to Ireland’s retail industry, with a particular focus on luxury brands and the travel retail sector. Current clients include L’Oréal, William Grant & Sons and Estee Lauder.
Following the completion of the deal on December 31st 2016, Casey Recruitment is undergoing a rebrand to Blackjack Ireland and will be led by Norma Murphy as Head of Blackjack Ireland.
The acquisition marks a significant step in Blackjack’s European expansion plans by extending its reach into Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports.
“We are a dynamic and ambitious business, constantly focused on growth and expansion by providing elevated service levels and innovation for our clients,” said Sally Alington, Managing Director, Blackjack Promotions and Director of Retail & Experiential Services for Blackjack’s parent, OmniServ, an ABM Company. “This latest acquisition presents a really exciting opportunity for us to develop ABM and Blackjack’s presence in Ireland, as well continue to build upon existing excellent relationships with Aer Rianta, DAA and Heinemann.”
Mary Kelly, Managing Director, Casey Recruitment, says: “It was very important to me that the business we built up over the years with our wonderful staff and premium clients would continue to develop and flourish. I have known Sally and Blackjack for many years and am confident of great things to come. My staff are looking forward to a bright future ahead with lots of opportunities. Our clients can be assured of continued excellent results with Blackjack offering their vast expertise in the customer services industry.”
Casey Recruitment was the sole Irish member of the Airport Promotions Agencies network (of which Blackjack is also a member), an association of retail solutions companies which collectively provide staffing to over 80 Airports across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Blackjack MD Sally Alington is joint-chairman of the APA. Blackjack is also a member of UK marketing industry trade body, the Institute of Promotional Marketing (IPM).
The Casey Recruitment acquisition comes on the back of a hugely successful year for Blackjack in 2016, which has seen its travel retail sector income increase by +40% YOY.
The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Blackjack Promotions is the leading staffing solutions, travel retail and experiential specialist, with operations in the UK and the Middle East. Its core service offering falls under three headings: travel retail, experiential and logistics. It also works hand-in-hand with agency partners and media owners using its experiential expertise to bring brands and briefs to life.
The company was founded in 1995 and acquired by OmniServ Limited, the European division of Air Serv Corporation, owned by ABM, in 2013. Blackjack is a member of the Airport Promotion Agencies (APA), of which Blackjack MD Sally Alington is joint-chairman, and the Institute of Promotional Marketing (IPM).
