WPP’s creative technology agency, DT, has joined the AKQA network.
AKQA has had its eye on Australia for some time. Meanwhile, it has been growing globally global. In the past 18 months, AKQA has added more than 300 employees through new office openings in Italy, Brazil, Sweden and the UK.
AKQA co-founder and chief executive officer, Ajaz Ahmed, noted, “Australia and New Zealand regularly are ranked among the most creative countries in the world. It’s always been a dream to launch in the Australasia region.”
AKQA’s expansion into Australia and New Zealand will now add an additional 220 employees (making a total of 2,000) plus new offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Singapore.
Mike Connaghan, chief executive officer of WPP AUNZ commented, “Combining the global muscle of an iconic brand such as AKQA with the local knowledge and power of DT really does represent an amazing opportunity to further solidify our leadership position in the region. DT is one of the fastest growing of our 80 companies and 2016 was a record year for them. This is an exciting next step”.
Both agency brands will continue with DT transitioning to the AKQA brand in the future.
Brian Vella, chief executive officer, DT, stated, “We wanted to take our business to a global level and looked for a partner with shared values, culture and vision. In AKQA we found that partner. For the last 20 years Ajaz and his team have been an inspiration to so many, redefining the industry. I can’t wait to connect and co-create new opportunities for our clients and team.” Vella will remain as lead for DT and join the AKQA Executive team.
A bigger AKQA team will provide clients with greater global coverage, but as Ahmed promises, “Our aim has never been to be the biggest, it’s to be the best.”
In DT, AKQA believes it has identified the best. It’s one of the fastest growing agencies in the region and had its best year ever in 2016. The agency has a 20-year track record of bringing invention to Australian brands such as Bunnings, Optus, Bupa and Tourism Australia.
Behind the partnership is Ahmed’s conviction that, “I can’t think of a better way to strengthen our new positioning as a world-class brand experience agency. The talent, capability and class Brian and DT possess will immediately further our mission to define, create and deliver the future of our clients’ brands.”
Vella continued, “After 15 years this has all the benefits of joining a new team without having to leave DT, whom I love. AKQA’s commitment to meaningful, strategic innovation is one of the characteristics that differentiates the firm, and we can’t wait to learn and contribute on the global stage.”
