Chime to buy Essentially for sports

Chime Communications Plc, the public relations company chaired by Margaret Thatcher’s former media adviser, acquired Essentially Group Ltd. to expand its sports marketing in cricket, rugby and auto racing, Chairman Tim Bell said in a telephone interview.

London-based Chime agreed to pay 18.2 million pounds ($29.6 million) for Essentially, which it will combine with its Fast Track unit, responsible for sports consulting and marketing for events including the 2012 Olympics, Bell said. No jobs will be cut at Essentially, which employs 60, or Fast Track, which employs about 110, he said. “Sports marketing is growing, the number of events is growing, and the involvement of corporations is growing,” Bell said in the interview.