Events company, PR consultancy merge

The company will be based at the StarFX head office in Sandton, Johannesburg, which will also be the holding company for all future ventures. Both brands will continue trading individually.

Says StarFX's Nicci Hards: "It is a new chapter for both brands. Strategically an in-house supply chain capability has prompted both parties to consider the joint venture."

She notes that the company plans to accelerate growth through the development of additional resources within the supply chain. "This will occur through owned resources as well as close, strategic partnerships."

"The next logical step"

RedStar's Hein Kaiser shares these sentiments, noting that the parties have worked together for over five years. "The merger seemed the next logical step given the synergy in philosophy, strategic intent and ambition between the brands." He says that further talks are underway to structure an independent, international network of likeminded companies in various markets. "Implementation will be aggressively focused on growth."

"Return on investment, along with affordability, form the cornerstone of our business," says Kaiser who notes that current economic conditions in the global and domestic market will continue to exercise pressure on budgets.