South Normanton web design company acquires Derby firm's assets

Matt Wheatcroft with Claudio Davanzo and Danny Painter

Founded in 2008, Revolver Revolver operated from Friar Gate Studios in Derby.

It became an award-winning design agency offering a range of integrated creative services including graphic design, web design, branding and advertising.

A number of cash flow issues arose simultaneously in September, leaving the owner, Chris Redshaw with the unenviable decision of having to close the business.

Following discussions with the administrator, Bates Weston, Purpose Media has acquired major assets of the business including the trading name, website domain and recruited two key employees.

Joining Purpose Media are Claudio Davanzo, now creative director, and lead designer Danny Painter.

Purpose Media managing director, Matt Wheatcroft, said: “When I heard Revolver Revolver was closing, I saw the opportunity to buy assets which would benefit our own strategic development. Adding creative expertise of such expert caliber to our list of services is a very natural progression. It will benefit existing clients and help us win more new business.

“With Claudio on board we will now be able to offer full creative services and take on new projects that are related purely to design as well as offering an integrated service to our website clients to ensure our clients brand identities are memorable and well positioned.”

Mr Wheatcroft and fellow directors Tim Lenton and Rob Marshall founded Purpose Media in 2009.

Having acquired the Revolver Revolver brand the intention is to win more creative design and branding projects with the overall aim of forming a new sub-division of Purpose Media called Purpose Creative.

This is expected to create further employment opportunities and is part of a carefully planned programme of expansion which will see Purpose Media achieve £5m turnover within the next five years.

Commenting on his new role Claudio said: “I am delighted to have joined a successful award winning business like Purpose Media. I’m extremely excited about being able to work with Danny Painter again and about developing a portfolio of creative design clients.”

With more than 15 years experience in the creative industry, Claudio has worked on many multidisciplinary projects with some very exciting brands including St Tropez, Thorntons, Loughborough University, Formula One, Esker, University of Derby and Derby County Football Club.

As lead designer, Danny will be overseeing design projects from concept to production, making sure all deadlines are met and client satisfaction is high. Danny has worked for agencies in London and Leicester where his projects included global brand names such as Microsoft, Martini, and FIFA.