Accenture expands e-commerce capabilities
NEW YORK & CHICAGO — Global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company Accenture is acquiring Acquity Group to help it strengthen its e-commerce and digital marketing capabilities.
Acquity Group provides strategy, digital marketing and technical services to companies seeking to enhance their brand experiences and e-commerce performance. The acquisition will broaden Accenture’s own services in these areas, which the company provides through Accenture Interactive, its group that offers CMOs and brand leaders a comprehensive suite of marketing, technology and analytics solutions to help them improve their marketing performance.
Acquity Group is the second-largest independent digital marketing company in the United States. Its revenue for 2012 was $141 million, an increase of 32% over the previous year. Once the acquisition is complete, Acquity Group’s more than 600 employees are expected to join Accenture Interactive.
“CMOs and brand leaders are looking for a new type of service provider that can blend the creative process with analytics and enabling technologies to engage consumers and deliver compelling user experiences across channels,” said Brian Whipple, global managing director of Accenture Interactive. “The acquisition of Acquity Group will expand our capabilities in key areas of digital marketing and e-commerce, complementing our strengths in strategy, analytics, scaled technology enablement and marketing operations.”
“As one of the pioneers in e-commerce and digital marketing services, Acquity Group is pleased to be joining forces with Accenture, one of the largest and most successful consulting, technology and outsourcing companies in the world. Our combined expertise will allow us to deliver transformational e-business solutions for our clients at scale and attract the best talent in the industry,” added Chris Dalton, CEO of Acquity Group.
Kirkland & Ellis is acting as Accenture’s legal adviser with regard to the transaction, while Goldman Sachs (Asia) is acting as financial adviser to Acquity Group. Shearman & Sterling is acting as Acquity’s legal adviser with regard to the transaction.