Publicis Groupe China acquires Wiredcraft for stronger digital transformation abilities in China

 Publicis Groupe China has acquired Wiredcraft, a digital product consultancy and technology company focused on China and APAC, to strengthen Publicis Groupe's current digital transformation services in China. The agencies did not disclose the cost of acquisition. 

Established in 2009, Wiredcraft has created digital products for global brands across industries which include apparel, hospitality, automobile and luxury, among many others. Through connecting tech, design, and data, with category knowledge, Wiredcraft delivers solutions across digital transformation, direct-to-consumer eCommerce and customer loyalty data, that are used by tens of millions of people. Some of its clients include Starbucks, Apple, COS, Dior and many others. 

Upon the acquisition, Wiredcraft will further scale Publicis Groupe’s existing digital transformation capabilities in China. Connecting Wiredcraft to the existing Publicis Sapient, Digitas and EDGE teams, Publicis Groupe will house 600 experts for end-to-end digital technology and consulting solutions in China.

Wiredcraft will be led by its current APAC CEO and founder Ronan Berder, together with China CEO Vincent Viallet, technology director Juha Suomalainen and product director Quentin Berder. Ronan Berder will be based in Singapore to drive the expansion of the business across APAC. Viallet will lead the China business out of Shanghai. The team at Wiredcraft has 100 staff members

Ronan Berder will report to Jane Lin-Baden, managing partner of Publicis Groupe APAC and CEO of Publicis Groupe North Asia. Baden said: “I am extremely excited to welcome Ronan Berder and his outstanding team of experts to the Publicis family. Digital transformation has been a fast-growing area for us with accelerating demand from our clients since Covid. With the disruption of sales channels, they are looking for a more resilient digital ecosystem primed for growth. Wiredcraft has an exceptional reputation for the quality of its consulting and technology.”

“With Wiredcraft, Publicis Sapient, Digitas and EDGE Team, Publicis is aiming to house the strongest technology and data team of any agency holding group in China, providing digital solutions to fuel our clients’ growth.” she added.

Berder, CEO and founder of Wiredcraft, said: “We’re very much looking forward to contributing to Publicis Groupe’s significant expertise in China and APAC on the consulting, digital product and Engineering fronts. We see obvious opportunities as we join Publicis Groupe, especially with luxury, automotive and hospitality clients. Publicis’ portfolio will also help us further develop into FinTech, health and FMCG. More importantly, joining forces will accelerate our expansion across Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Singapore, and allow us to leverage Publicis’ scale to enhance our services and teams.”

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