Taxi arrives in Amsterdam

http://www.marketingmag.ca/english/news/agency/article.jsp?content=20090515_173740_8380

Taxi has opened its first office in Europe after acquiring a majority stake in Amsterdam digital agency Ottonico.
The agency, which officially rebranded as Taxi Europe on May 13, serves clients such as Foot Locker, Heineken (a Taxi client in Canada), ING, KPN Royal Dutch Telecom and telecommunications brands Hi and Telefort.
Taxi’s co-founder and chair Paul Lavoie will add the title of chief creative officer, Europe to his business card. Both he and Taxi co-founder Jane Hope will travel between Amsterdam and Taxi New York as the company integration continues over the coming months.
Ottonico’s co-founders Eric Verhage and Maarten van Huijstee, both former Heineken employees, assume the roles of general manager and executive creative director, respectively.
“Our creative visions are a natural fit,” said van Huijstee, in a statement. “We share the belief that there is no new and no old media. Every channel can deliver results when the choice is rooted in consumer insight.”
Lavoie expects several existing Taxi staffers to move to Amsterdam, though he offered no names. However, Ottonico had no design capabilities and did significantly less traditional advertising than the other offices in Taxi’s stable. It’s a safe bet those capabilities will be flown in from North America.
With a current staff of 22, Lavoie estimated Taxi Europe’s staff to reach 35 by the time Ottonico is fully integrated into the network.