Get creative: Accenture to acquire Irish agency Rothco

14 Dec 2017

Accenture Ireland country manager Alastair Blair. Image: Accenture

Accenture is expanding its creative capabilities across the whole of Europe.

Accenture has entered into an agreement to acquire Irish creative agency Rothco as part of its strategy to evolve into a major European experience agency.

The price of the acquisition was not disclosed.

‘Once the acquisition is completed, more than 150 professionals from Rothco will join Accenture to help our clients innovate and lead in their markets’
– ALASTAIR BLAIR

Dublin-based Rothco is an international award-winning creative agency.

Founded in 1995, it plans, designs and produces strategic communication campaigns across Europe for brands such as Tesco, Eir, AIB, Heineken and the Irish Defence Forces as well as sports stars such as Rory McIlroy.

Design for life

Rotchco employs 150 strategic, creative, technology, design, project management and production professionals.

The acquisition is the latest step in Accenture’s efforts to grow its creative talent in Ireland.

This follows the opening of The Dock, Accenture’s global multidisciplinary research and incubation hub, and the establishment of the Fjord Dublin studio.

“Rothco is a great fit for our business in Ireland,” said Accenture’s country managing director for Ireland, Alastair Blair.

“Dublin is not only an innovation and technology hub, it is a creative and cultural capital. Experience is the new battleground and we are creating new ways for our clients to engage with their customers.

“Once the acquisition is completed, more than 150 professionals from Rothco will join Accenture to help our clients innovate and lead in their markets.”

The additional capabilities in Ireland will complement and expand Accenture Interactive’s presence in the UK and Ireland, while also strengthening its creative capabilities, which can be extended for the whole of Europe.

Creative energy

“Accenture Interactive is a hugely exciting brand to be a part of,” said Rothco CEO Patrick Hickey.

“It’s shown tremendous leadership in moving towards a new agency model, and we’re very excited to be part of that change.”

In addition to creative campaigns, Rothco looks at how technology can enhance the creative process in order to better connect experiences with brands. The agency has a pedigree for award-winning campaigns and has enjoyed success at Cannes Lions in 2016 and 2015, among other awards.

Accenture Interactive’s Europe, Africa and Latin America lead, Anatoly Roytman, said the acquisition is in keeping with the evolution of Accenture’s creative pulse.

“Clients are looking to create human-centred brand experiences by connecting every interaction they have with their customers.

“Bringing Rothco into Accenture Interactive will extend our ability to accomplish this and create the greatest experiences on the planet.”

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com