Dentsu Aegis Network is continuing its acquisition drive announcing it has bought Australian indie shop With Collective.
With Collective is a 75-strong data-focused digital creative agency founded in 2010 by husband and wife duo Dominique and Justine Hind.
The agency will retain its branding and founders Justin and Dominique Hind will remain CEO and COO respectively, reporting to Dentsu Aegis Network ANZ CEO Simon Ryan. The details of the deal are not known.
Last year Dentsu bought Soap and BWM to expand its creative capabilities, and earlier this year Ryan, who has been CEO for six months, told AdNews he was eyeing eight Australian shops as part of an aggressive acquisition strategy.
With Collective has been one of the country’s most talked about independents in the last 12 months after a successful run of new business and some high profile hires.
Highly awarded creative Steve Coll joined the agency last year in a move seen by many as a coup for the small shop.
Ryan says: “With Collective has an enviable position in market, with an impressive client list and a strong reputation for excellence as a data-led, creative CRM business. With Collective’s capabilities mirror our plans and ambitions in the CRM space and our businesses share an understanding of where media is going in the digital economy. Together, we will help clients to navigate and succeed in this ever-changing landscape.”
Matthew Crook, chief strategy officer and CEO of performance and data for Dentsu Aegis Network, adds, “The acquisition of With Collective is an exciting move, aligned to our local and global strategic imperative to compete in the digital economy and grow our data business. This acquisition offers mutual benefit to With and Dentsu Aegis, and both our companies and clients will enjoy significant capability gains as a result.”
Justin Hind, added: “Dominique and I see becoming part of Dentsu Aegis as the next major chapter in the evolution of With Collective. We’ve always aspired to become a major force in modern, future focused, digital and data driven marketing and CRM. Being part of the Dentsu Aegis network will allow us to accelerate that for the agency, our clients and the wider Dentsu Aegis group. We also discovered that both organisations have very similar corporate values and aspirations. Our team couldn’t be more delighted and excited about what the future holds for all of us.”
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