Dentsu Aegis Network acquires Little Giant Leading New Zealand digital agency to join Isobar

City / Date: Dentsu Aegis Network today announces the acquisition of Little Giant, a leading digital agency in New Zealand. The agency will join Isobar, a global digital marketing agency, to strengthen its presence in the market by scaling the local creative and digital capabilities. 

Little Giant was founded in 2011, and now boasts a team of more than 40 employees providing digitally focused creative services from Auckland’s Central Business District. The agency partners with clients to create and implement digital products and services, brand communications and experiences, and cross-channel, digitally-led campaigns. The agency roster includes internationally renowned brands such as Fonterra, Les Mills, Rocketlab and Marketo, as well as leading New Zealand brands such as Harcourts, Firth and Spark.

Following the acquisition the agency will become “Little Giant, Linked by Isobar” and Founder Mark Hurley will remain CEO, reporting to Dentsu Aegis Network NZ CEO, Rob Harvey. 

Little Giant has been one of New Zealand’s most talked about Independent agencies in the last 12 months after a successful run of new business wins, and several high-profile hires including Ian Howard and Erik Hay. In 2015, the agency was named in the Deloitte NZ Fast 50, and 2016 Deloitte APAC Technology Fast 500. Following this impressive run of growth, CEO and Founder Mark Hurley was named a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in July.

Rob Harvey CEO Dentsu Aegis Network New Zealand, said: “As we continue on our journey to ensure our group and clients are leading in the digital economy, Little Giant, Linked by Isobar is an important part of our strategy and will bring transformational digital creative capability to our New Zealand business. Mark is an outstanding leader and together with his team Little Giant have delivered market leading growth. They have done this through strong work and the development of an enviable culture. I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Mark and the Little Giant team into the Dentsu Aegis Network family.”

Mark Hurley, CEO of Little Giant, added: “I see this acquisition as an exciting next step in the evolution of Little Giant. As part of Isobar and Dentsu Aegis Network, we will dramatically enhance our ability to offer world-class creativity and digital innovation to existing and new clients within the New Zealand market. We have been extremely impressed by the vision of the Isobar brand, the alignment with our culture and values, and their desire to let us continue to operate the business as we do now. Our team is extremely excited about what the future holds.”

Jean Lin, Isobar Global CEO, said: “Little Giant’s entrepreneurial spirit and vibrant culture is a great fit with Isobar. We both believe creativity and ideas are critical for digital transformation, and that a global mindset with local insights is a platform for great work. We are excited to bring Little Giant in to our borderless and growing global agency."