Ogilvy Hong Kong buys majority stake in local digital agency ARBA

Ogilvy & Mather has acquired a majority stake in ARBA, a Hong Kong-based digital consultancy.Founded in Hong Kong in 2012, ARBA offers digital design and software engineering services with a focus on sales acceleration and customer experience.Its business specialises in digital strategy and has reputation in the financial services industry. With staff members of more than 40, ARBA clients include FWD, Prudential, Hang Seng Bank and other financial and insurance providers.ARBA’s revenues were around HK$17.3 million, with net assets of around HKD 5.8 million for the year ending March 2017.WPP said the acquisition advances Ogilvy’s existing capabilities in digital strategy and creative through the technical and production strengths of ARBA, which include enterprise mobile apps, responsive web and intranet, as well as CRM and predictive analytics.ARBA will operate as Ogilvy Hong Kong’s digital user experience unit, working as part of the agency’s integrated team offering, as well as pursuing direct clients.Jerry Smith, chief operating officer, Ogilvy Asia Pacific said, “Digital is the fastest-growing component of the marketing communications industry in Hong Kong. Digital transformation is a mandate for many of our key clients and our largest clients are already heavily invested in the space. We expect an increase in digital spend by three to five times over the next five years, so strengthening our specialist digital services is key to our growth and innovation agenda both in Hong Kong and across the region.”Ingo Leung, CEO & co-founder, ARBA added, “We are delighted that our partnership with Ogilvy will bring more power to our team to grow with strengthened service offerings, and extend our client successes across additional industries. We look forward to joining Ogilvy’s management team in Hong Kong, and benefiting from their expertise.”