Dentsu Aegis Network Acquires Top Digital Marketing and Commerce Agency DEG

NEW YORK — Dentsu Aegis Network, today, announced the acquisition of Digital Evolution Group (DEG), a top provider of data-driven marketing, commerce and collaboration solutions in the U.S. market. DEG will join Isobar, a leading global agency focused on experience-led transformation, powered by creativity. The agency will be called “DEG, Linked by Isobar.”  

This strategic acquisition supports Dentsu Aegis Network’s continued growth strategy for the U.S. and Isobar’s commitment to delivering experience-led transformation. By joining the Dentsu Aegis Network, DEG will enhance Isobar’s ability to deliver end-to-end commerce solutions. The combined DEG and Isobar team will become the dominant experience, commerce and digital transformation agency in the country, with scale in Salesforce, Adobe (including Magento Commerce), Sitecore, and Microsoft cloud platforms. Isobar was named a Leader in The Forrester Wave[Symbol]: Commerce Specialist Service Providers, Q4 2018,” recognizing “Isobar’s services excel in fusing creative and commerce.”  

The acquisition of DEG will cement Dentsu Aegis Network as one of the largest agency partners of Salesforce in the world, as well as position Isobar and DEG as a leading multi-cloud agency partner.  

Dentsu Aegis Network and Isobar are Adobe Global Alliance Solution Partners and Isobar is an Enterprise Magento Partner, winning 2018 Regional and Global Commercial Partner of the year.  DEG brings additional Magento Commerce and Microsoft scale to the US market, and will enhance Isobar’s capability to deliver experience-led B2C and B2B commerce on the Adobe & Magento platforms. 

Founded in 1999, DEG is led by Neal Sharma, Dale Hazlett, Jasvindarjit Singh, Jeff Eden and Sky Morey, and is one of the fastest-growing and most-respected digital commerce agencies in the US. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of marketing and technology services that enable brands to implement and integrate e-commerce platforms with digital marketing strategy and campaigns. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, DEG has additional offices in Denver, Pittsburgh and Des Moines as well as a satellite office in Manila, Philippines. Its clients include Purina, AMC Theatres, Fender Guitars, Hallmark and LVMH. The agency was named one of the “25 Companies Changing the World,” by Inc. Magazine for its unique and entrepreneurial approach to the marketplace. 

DEG CEO Neal Sharma will continue to lead the agency and will report directly to Deb Boyda CEO Isobar US. The DEG management team will remain unchanged.  

Deb Boyda, Isobar U.S. CEO said, “As the premier agency delivering experience led digital transformation in the U.S. marketplace, we are thrilled to invite DEG into our Isobar family. This union will help us better serve our client’s needs for top shelf commerce experiences with our Salesforce and Adobe partnerships. Together with our partners, we will be a force to be reckoned with.” 

“All of us at DEG are excited about what this partnership with the world’s leading digital experience agency will allow us to offer our clients and their customers,” said Neal Sharma DEG Linked by Isobar CEO. “Dentsu Aegis Network and Isobar’s vision for how our industry is evolving is spot-on, and combining global scale, people-based insights, and proven innovation with our existing capabilities and talents will provide an unparalleled caliber of service across the customer journey.” 

Jean Lin, Global CEO Isobar said, “DEG shares Isobar’s focus on the fusion of creativity, strategy and technology to transform experiences and achieve real business results for our clients.  

The synergies between DEG’s and Isobar capabilities, and DEG’s depth of expertise in the Salesforce platform, will ensure market-leading commerce solutions for our clients in the United States and beyond. We are extremely excited to welcome DEG to the Isobar global family.” 

Investment Bank, Petsky Prunier Securities, advised DEG on the transaction. Financial terms were not disclosed.