A pair of agency closures have been announced in Liverpool as economic uncertainty continues across the region, and beyond.
Moore Media, whose clients included North West Cancer Research, is shuttering after almost 14 years in business, while Matchstick Creative will also be closing its doors following seven years at the coalface.
Moore founder Jayne Moore (pic, bottom left) blamed a combination of personal circumstances and government policy for the decision, and predicted she would t be the last to make this decision. She did have some better news though – she’ll still be working with many of her clients with her newly founded venture Octio Communications.
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She explained on LinkedIn:
“I have made the really difficult decision to close Moore Media, and I know from the many messages and calls I have received I will not be the only one in this space right now.
“I am so proud of the work that we have delivered, the people who have been with me on this crazy ride for the last 13 years, and for the incredible experiences I have had, thank you!
“For those who know me, understand my story, 20 years ago this month I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and reflecting around that really made me take stock. The intense challenges of surviving and growing a small agency post COVID, with the impossible Government policies that are stacking up against SME Entrepreneurs. I simply choose life, not stress. I chose my family and my health over everything.
“That said I am not going anywhere, I am the healthiest I have been in years and I have started Octio Communications, and my incredibly loyal clients are staying close, and will be getting my whole attention.
“To any agency owners out there who need a hug, or a beer you know where I am – and to the Labour Government, seriously, shame on you!”
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Meanwhile, over at B Corp agency Matchstick, which had only announced a major rebrand earlier this year, CEO Ruth Wildhart announced that she and fellow co-founder Greg Macoy (pic, top) had “finally made the call to end things” after “battling to keep our purpose-driven business open for years.”
The agency employed 15 people at its peak, and brought in a total of £1.2m to the local economy. Wildhart made a lengthy blog post to explain the decision in full, although one section in particular that may resonate with fellow founders read:
“It is very, very tiring to run a business, especially over the last seven years. The circumstances that everyone is operating under at the moment are, on any historical scale, off the f*cking charts. The current ‘normality’ isn’t normal, and is creating a false status quo that is unsustainable. When you actually list this stuff out, it is humbling to think our business lasted as long as it did; COVID-19, Russia invaded Ukraine, global inflation and the cost of living crisis, the increasing use and dependence on AI, the Israeli Palestine War, the climate crisis, Trump’s second presidency, a recession that was never named a recession – and that’s not even all of them.
“And you’re telling me a select bunch of nutters (small business owners) are choosing to start or continue businesses under these circumstances? What is wrong with all of us? Why are we doing it to ourselves? It’s a valid question that will become more obvious and visible, depending on how well or bad things are going in your own business. To anyone reading this who continues to operate a small business and is using personally-guaranteed finance, grit and a select group of close friends to keep your head above the water, I salute you. You are the hope that keeps things going. I was one of those people too, but everyone has their limits.”
Wildhart described herself as “currently looking for purpose-driven opportunities”
