Dentsu Aegis Network Acquires Majority Stake in Social and Digital Media Agency - WATConsult

Dentsu Aegis Network announces the acquisition of WATConsult, one of India’s leading social and digital media agencies, with over 160 professionals in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata. WATConsult will become part of  Isobar, Dentsu Aegis Network’s global digital marketing agency and will be referred to as “WATConsult – Linked by Isobar”.

Founded in 2007, WATConsult has rapidly grown to become one of India’s most awarded social media agencies, with more than 48 awards received in 2014 alone. WATConsult’s growth has been led by CEO, Rajiv Dingra, a digital entrepreneur and recognized thought leader in social media.

Having evolved from being a social media agency to a full service digital agency, WATConsult also provides its client base with creative and technology services across mobile, digital and video. Other specialist areas include an in-house analytics capability with dashboards and tools for social and digital media. Clients include the Godrej Group, Nikon, Tata Chemicals, Bestseller Group, Bajaj Allianz and more than 70 other national and global brands.

Nick Waters, CEO Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific, said, “The acquisition of WATConsult marks another significant step for our group in India.  This is a high quality award winning market leader specialising in one of the fastest growing and critical segments of the market.  Alongside Isobar, iProspect, and WebChutney we have created the largest and highest quality digital services capability in India.  We view India as a priority market and will continue to seek scaled and quality investment opportunities here.”

Ashish Bhasin, Chairman and CEO South Asia Dentsu Aegis Network said, “Having WATConsult, a leader in social media, as a member of our family will further enhance our digital offering to our clients and support our growth in the market. WATConsult, will join iProspect, Isobar and Webchutney in making our digital offering the most comprehensive in India.”

Rajiv Dingra, CEO WATConsult, said, “We are delighted to join hands with Dentsu Aegis Network, and our entire team are looking forward to taking WATConsult – Linked by Isobar to even greater heights. We are confident that by becoming a part of a digital focused network like Dentsu Aegis Network we will gain a competitive advantage in the fast consolidating Indian market. As an agency we see huge growth opportunity in digital advertising, particularly social media, digital video and mobile, and we are geared to capitalising on it.”

Rajiv Dingra will continue as CEO of WATConsult – Linked by Isobar, reporting to Ashish Bhasin, Chairman and CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia. His key management team, including Nipun Kapur, COO of WATConsult and Heeru Dingra, CFO of WATConsult, will also continue in their respective roles. Rajiv will also join the Digital Council of Dentsu Aegis Network India, alongside the CEO’s of Isobar, iProspect and WebChutney. Digital specialists at Dentsu Aegis Network in India will now exceed 600 professionals, making it the only network in India offering end-to end comprehensive digital services in this scale.