WPP AUNZ has acquired leading WA digital and creative business solutions company Meerkats, as part of the company’s strategy to boost client capabilities announced earlier this year.

As part of the agreement Meerkats will merge with Wunderman Thompson in WA, building the brand’s Perth capability to more than 50 employees and creating a specific Experience & Innovation Practice. As a result, Wunderman Thompson Perth will now offer the full suite of brand and organisational strategy, consulting, innovation and technology capabilities underpinned by creativity; further strengthening the WPP AUNZ Perth Campus.

L-R in photo: Doni Savvides, partner, Melanie Wiese, chief strategy officer,
Martin Beecroft, chief innovation officer, Gavin Bain, managing partner

WPP AUNZ CEO Jens Monsees said: “With an impressive roster of clients, and a platform of transformational strategy, EX/CX and technology-led innovation, Meerkats brings experience, skills and growth opportunities to our WA business. While our clients face increasing challenges to engage with their audiences in the current environment, this acquisition will allow us to provide even stronger capability to the Perth market.”

The merged Wunderman Thompson and Meerkats team will operate under the Wunderman Thompson brand from its Subiaco office. Its leadership team will comprise former Meerkats CEO Gavin Bain as Wunderman Thompson Perth Managing Partner, Doni Savvides as Partner, Martin Beecroft as Chief Innovation Officer, and Melanie Wiese as Chief Strategy Officer, Perth.

Bain said: “The Meerkats business model has evolved in recent years in line with our clients changing needs. We feel that the fresh Wunderman Thompson creative innovation approach is the perfect fit for our expanded strategic offering alongside WPP AUNZ’s focus on providing new offerings. We’re confident that our combined strengths will build something truly unique in this market and offer great opportunities for our people.”

Savvides added: “Gavin and his team share Wunderman Thompson’s ambition and passion to help our clients succeed and we’re delighted to be joining forces to bring that potential to life. Adding their skillset and capabilities to our already strong brand adds significant firepower to what we can deliver to our clients and to building a truly world class Wunderman Thompson offering in Western Australia. I am excited about what the future holds.