SWNS acquires Leeds-based news agency Ross Parry

News agency SWNS has acquired Leeds-based Ross Parry Agency to grow its presence across the UK.

The Bristol-based business already incorporates News Team International in Birmingham, Masons News in Cambridge and HE Media in Scotland.

SWNS (formerly known as South West News Service) said that the Ross Parry name will remain, as well its founder Dave Parry within the business.

SWNS, which opened its first satellite office in Plymouth, Devon, in 2005 now employs 70 editorial staff and syndicates copy to publishers such as Local World, Johnston press and the Kent Messenger Group.

The SWNS group also includes PR company 72Point, market research company company OnePoll.com and Oblong Films.

The group last year also won a local television licence with Made Television to launch a new station in Bristol.

Andy Young, director and group editor of SWNS, said: “It is a major coup for us to bring an agency with the calibre and reputation of Ross Parry into the SWNS Group and strengthens our geographical foothold in line with our expansion plans.

“SWNS is committed to growth and will continue to provide a comprehensive, quality news, picture and features service covering the length and breadth of the UK.

“We now cover most major breaking news and human interest stories from Land’s End to John O’Groats. This, combined with a growing video content operation, enables us to provide quality, multi-media content to our print and digital clients.”

Dave Parry said: “Our union with SWNS will make our core business of providing stories and pictures to national and international markets even stronger.

"Coming under the SWNS umbrella has already produced dividends. A story that broke in the Midlands with NewsTeam was completed in Yorkshire by Ross Parry, giving a complete package to all our media outlets.

"Sharing technology with all our SWNS partners will take Ross Parry to a new level, providing an even better service from our region."