Dentsu Aegis Network has announced that as of July 1 2014, performance agency Steak will merge with sister agency iProspect to create one of the biggest digital performance businesses in Australia.

With the integration of Steak, iProspect will now number over 70 staff nationally.

Oliver Rapson, Steak’s Managing Director, has been appointed to the role of Melbourne General Manager for iProspect, taking over from Martin Davie who has taken on a regional client role based in Asia.  Oliver will oversee the merged agency and report to iProspect’s National Managing Director Dan Kalinski, along with Sydney General Manager, Amanda Baker. Oliver has worked in digital for more than 12 years on client and agency side and has led Steak for the past five years.

Commenting on the merger, Dentsu Aegis Network CEO Luke Littlefield said, “Steak and iProspect have strong synergies of talent and vision about the future of digital.  They share a focus on Driving Digital Performance through the key areas of content, data and paid social.”

“The merger represents significant growth for iProspect Australia, building the local scale and expertise of the agency.”

Dan Kalinski, iProspect’s national MD said, “We share so many synergies with Steak and this merger has come at a great time for both agencies.”

“Oliver is an enthusiastic and hands on leader and we look forward to taking iProspect Melbourne from its already solid position to becoming an even stronger competitor in the digital space under his leadership.”

Oliver Rapson said, “We are delighted to bring these agencies together and I am confident that with our respective skills sets and teams, we are going to build a very strong offering and further distinguish ourselves in the market, setting up for an exciting future.”

The agencies come together at a strong period in terms of growth, expansion of talent and services. The integration of Steak positions iProspect to further develop its current offering which includes global tools and as well as adding improved services such as a robust earned and owned offering and web development capabilities.