Data science-led marketing agency Jaywing has announced its intention to expand its Australian operations with an agreement to acquire digital agency Frank Digital.
Jaywing has been growing its presence in Australia steadily in recent years, and in July 2017, Jaywing plc reported it was seeing growth in Australia outstrip that of its main market in the UK.
The move will bolster the agency’s scale and widen both its services and client-base.
Frank Digital’s clients include, AMP Capital, Merivale, Bauer Media, City of Sydney, Western Sydney University, and CanTeen.
Rob Shaw, CEO of Jaywing plc, said: “Frank Digital is a hugely complementary business to our existing operations.
“Frank Digital’s reputation for quality, creative story-telling and exemplary technical skills in web and application development, combined with our deep data-driven specialisms in search and online media, mean we’ll be able to bring a rounded, consultative proposition both to existing and new Australian clients.”
Matt Barbelli, founder of Frank Digital, said: “We’ve known the guys at Jaywing for many years and are delighted to be joining the team.
“And while we have worked together a number of times already, such as for Campos Coffee, there is plenty of opportunity to bring considerable additional expertise to each other’s clients.
“With access to products such as those in Jaywing Intelligence, we’ll be able to offer advanced tracking, data collation, analysis and artificial intelligence to our clients, giving both us and them real competitive advantage.
“Together, we will present an agency of significance but with all of the zeal of an independent – the best of both worlds for clients and our people alike.”
Chris Pittham, managing director at Jaywing Australia, said: “[MD] Tom [Geekie] and I are really excited about this next chapter for Jaywing in Australia. We’re looking forward to Matt and his team joining us.
“It’s great news for both our people and our clients. Frank Digital produces truly beautiful work, and the fact that they really understand what we do means we can offer the very best advice and service to our combined clients.”
The conclusion of the deal will see Frank Digital co-located with the existing Jaywing business in North Sydney.
Photo (L to R): Tom Geekie, Matt Barbelli and Chris Pittham
