What you need to know:

• The two former Dentsu executives have been on the M&A hunt since news of their partnership was revealed earlier this year
• Insiders now claim Simon Ryan has been in conversations with Dentsu regarding interest in acquiring some of its agencies
• The duo have also grown their team in the past month
• Mi3 understands this includes the hire of Carat Melbourne MD Joseph Pardillo
• Ryan and Spilva's new independent group is expected to go live in the second half

Indie agency mergers

Since Mi3 first reported the partnership between ex-Dentsu heavyweights Simon Ryan and Konrad Spilva, the duo have been in merger talks with independent shops across Melbourne and Sydney.

Now industry insiders claim they have had ongoing discussions with their former holding group, as the two look to acquire some of its assets.

While no direct agencies were named, it's understood there is interest in areas of performance and digital, which now primarily fall under the Isobar brand - which Spilva previously headed up.

Dentsu declined to comment on whether there had been any conversations between the two parties.

Full details of the make-up of Ryan and Spilva's new venture remain unclear, however, some have claimed it could mirror the likes of Sir Martin Sorrell's S4 and Australia's Bastion Collective.

People poaching

Dentsu confirmed that Joseph Pardillo has stepped down as Managing Director of Carat after eight years, where he led the growth of the Melbourne operations and secured some of the agency's key clients such as Medibank/AHM and L'Oreal.

It is not yet clear what Pardillo's next career will be but some suggest he will be joining former colleagues Simon Ryan and Konrad Spilva to head the media division of their new venture, to be announced soon.

Both Ryan and Spilva have been contacted but would not comment. 

"I have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of my eight years at Carat and the highs and lows endured throughout that time," Pardillo told Mi3.

"Whilst I have witnessed enormous business success throughout my tenure, nothing can compare to the privilege of leading and working with brilliant people throughout the journey.  These great individuals within the business are who will continue the storied success of Carat, and I wish them all the best."

Pardillo would not comment on his next move.