Dentsu Inc. Agrees to Acquire 100% Stake in UK E-Commerce Agency "eComera"

Dentsu Inc.'s overseas headquarters, Dentsu Aegis Network, has reached an agreement with the shareholders of UK-based e-commerce specialist agency eCommera Global Limited (hereinafter "eCommera") to acquire 100% of its shares. This move aims to strengthen capabilities in the "Brand Commerce" domain, which seeks to integrate content, brand experiences, and consumer experiences.

eCommera was established in 2007 as an e-commerce technology service provider. It was once the technology services division (eCommera) of an e-commerce company but separated and became independent in March 2015, continuing to operate as such today.

eCommera specializes in the "brand commerce" domain, developing, providing, maintaining, and consulting on e-commerce solutions for some of the world's leading retailers and consumer goods manufacturers. Headquartered in London, its specialized staff operate globally, supporting the e-commerce site operations of over 150 clients across 30 markets worldwide. The company also maintains "development centers" in Bulgaria and India dedicated to e-commerce technology and service development.

The global B2C e-commerce market is projected* to expand from $1.3 trillion in 2013 to $2.5 trillion by 2018. With this market growth, e-commerce sites are increasingly becoming the primary touchpoint between consumers and brands. Furthermore, the nature of e-commerce itself is diversifying, driven by integration with physical stores and the proliferation of compatible digital devices. Today, across these diverse brand touchpoints, the challenge of enhancing consumer engagement—referred to as "Brand Commerce"—has become a key issue for the entire marketing industry, including the e-commerce sector. (*Source: Forrester Research, Inc., USA)

This acquisition addresses these challenges. Going forward, the Dentsu Group will deepen the collaborative relationship between Isobar—a full-service digital marketing business within the global network of brands—and eComera. By integrating e-commerce solution technology, brand-building capabilities based on creative and user experience, and consumer data analytics, the group will contribute to maximizing the value of client brands. Furthermore, by leveraging Isobar's network, the Group plans to expand its service area even further.

[eCommera Company Overview]
Company Name: eCommera Global Limited
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Development centers for e-commerce technology and services in Bulgaria and India
Established: March 2015 (Predecessor company established February 2007)
Shareholder Structure: After acquisition procedures are completed
Dentsu Inc. Network: 100%
Revenue: £17.6 million (approx. ¥3.36 billion) (eCommera division revenue for the fiscal year ending March 2015)
Representative: Mark Fagan (CEO)
Number of Employees: 275
Business Activities: Development, provision, maintenance, and consulting of e-commerce solutions across 30 global markets

Dentsu Inc. News Release: http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2015/0615-004076.html