Dentsu Aegis Network acquires majority stake in India’s social and digital media agency, WATConsult

Dentsu Aegis Network today announces the acquisition of WATConsult, one of India’s leading social and digital media agencies, with over 160 professionals in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata. WATConsult will become part of Isobar, Dentsu Aegis Network’s global digital marketing agency and will be referred to as “WATConsult – Linked by Isobar”.

Founded in 2007, WATConsult has rapidly grown to become one of India’s most awarded social media agencies, with more than 48 awards received in 2014 alone. WATConsult’s growth has been led by CEO, Rajiv Dingra, a digital entrepreneur and recognised thought leader in social media.

Having evolved from being a social media agency to a full service digital agency, WATConsult also provides its client base with creative and technology services across mobile, digital and video. Other specialist areas include an in-house analytics capability with dashboards and tools for social and digital media. Clients include the Godrej Group, Nikon, Tata Chemicals, Bestseller Group, Bajaj Allianz and more than 70 other national and global brands.

Nick Waters, CEO Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific, said, “The acquisition of WATConsult marks another significant step for our group in India. This is a high quality award winning market leader specialising in one of the fastest growing and critical segments of the market. Alongside Isobar, iProspect, and WebChutney we have created the largest and highest quality digital services capability in India. We view India as a priority market and will continue to seek scaled and quality investment opportunities here.”

Jean Lin, Global CEO of Isobar, said: “We welcome WATConsult to the global Isobar family. This acquisition not only complements our existing business in India, but also adds further depth to our global social media offering. Together, we look forward to pushing the boundaries of digital innovation to deliver our vision of delivering Ideas Without Limits to our clients.”

Rajiv Dingra, CEO WATConsult, said, “We are delighted to join hands with Dentsu Aegis Network, and our entire team are looking forward to taking WATConsult – Linked by Isobar to even greater heights. We are confident that by becoming a part of a digital focused network like Dentsu Aegis Network we will gain a competitive advantage in the fast consolidating Indian market. As an agency we see huge growth opportunity in digital advertising, particularly social media, digital video and mobile, and we are geared to capitalising on it.”

Rajiv Dingra will continue as CEO of WATConsult – Linked by Isobar, reporting to Ashish Bhasin, Chairman and CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia. His key management team, including Nipun Kapur, COO of WATConsult and Heeru Dingra, CFO of WATConsult, will also continue in their respective roles. Rajiv will also join the Digital Council of Dentsu Aegis Network India, alongside the CEO’s of Isobar, iProspect and WebChutney. Digital specialists at Dentsu Aegis Network in India will now exceed 600 professionals, making it the only network in India offering end-to end comprehensive digital services in this scale.

 ‑ ENDS ‑

For further information contact:

laura.green-wilkinson@dentsuaegis.com

Notes to Editors:

About Dentsu Aegis Network

Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of eight global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, Dentsu media, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands including Amnet, Amplifi, Data2Decisions, Mitchell Communications (PR), psLIVE and 360i. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 110 countries worldwide with over 23,000 dedicated specialists.
About WATConsult

WATConsult is one of India’s largest and leading social and digital media agency having national presence with offices across top four metros in India and a team strength of over 160 people. WATConsult specializes in Social Media with expertise in Mobile, Video and Analytics. WATConsult is also one of India’s most awarded digital agency of 2014 with over 48 awards and got recognized as the “Most progressive digital agency” at CMO Asia, Singapore and the”Social Media Agency of the Year” at Socialathon Awards 2014. WATConsult was also the only Independent Indian agency to win a metai at the Global DMA Echo awards in San Diego in 2014.