By Carolyn Hyams

Aquent, a global firm specialising in staffing solutions for the creative, marketing and communications industries, today announced its acquisition of Melbourne-based recruitment firm, Dux Creative Consultants.

With the combined strength of the two market leaders, Aquent is now the largest specialist staffing firm within the advertising and creative industries in Melbourne . Dux Creative Consultants, with 16 years experience in the industry, is a leading recruiter with clients across the major advertising and creative companies.

"The acquisition of Dux Creative Consultants is a logical step in Aquent's strategic expansion in Australia ," announced Greg Savage, CEO of Aquent Asia Pacific. "It also offers an unmatched delivery model to clients and candidates and indicates our clear determination to provide clients with a full range of niche staffing services within creative, marketing and communications."

"Aquent and Dux have been very successful in their own niche," said Mr Savage. "Both companies have shared a real commitment to innovation and the quality of the service they provide. This commitment to service will continue into the future with the added benefit of enhanced resources and candidate reach." Michelle Tickle, Aquent Area Manager in Melbourne , expands further. "As a result of this merger, we can now provide clients with access to the largest talent pool in Melbourne ÷ certainly an advantage in this current economic climate where it is evident that the industry is experiencing a severe candidate shortage. "In addition, Melbourne creative, marketing and communications talent now have even more opportunities for freelance and permanent work over a broader spectrum of clients."

Dux Creative Consultant's Managing Director, Vicki McKay and her team, will join Aquent in Melbourne and continue to foster their existing relationships with talent and clients.

"After sixteen years in business and with a broad network of long-standing creative relationships, we saw Aquent's acquisition of Dux Creative Consultants as the perfect next step for our company," said Ms McKay. "Aquent offers an amazing support network and huge resources for us and this also means greater opportunities for clients and candidates alike."

About Aquent

Aquent (aquent.com) is a global firm specialising in staffing solutions for the Marketing, Communications and Creative industries. Through a network of nearly 70 offices in 16 countries, Aquent provides staffing services in the areas of print and Web design and Production; Advertising and Media, Marketing, Public Relations and Business Support. In its nineteen-year history, Aquent has made nearly 400,000 matches of independent professionals with client companies worldwide. Aquent is also the publisher of the Aquent Salary Monitor. The company's Asia-Pacific headquarters are in Sydney.