Pictured: Rob Pierre, co-founder and CEO at Jellyfish
Fimalac, the French group owned by billionaire Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière, has bought a majority stake in London-based digital ad agency Jellyfish.
The group’s data-driven specialist Tradelab will be integrated into Jellyfish as part of the deal, giving the agency a presence in new markets including France, Germany, Italy and Brazil. The combined entity will have a market value of approximately £500m, with the ambition to become a multi billion market cap company.
The business has further plans to expand into Australia, South East Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Jellyfish’s co-founder and CEO, Rob Pierre, will continue to lead the merged business alongside CFO Chris Lee. Yohann Dupasquier, CEO and founder of Tradelab, will join the Jellyfish board.
“The synergies we felt with Tradelab and the shared goal of building a world-leading digital offering made this an ideal fit for our business,” Pierre said.
“The investment and subsequent expansion will enable us to continue building our global footprint as we bring the Jellyfish brand to all four corners of the world.”
Ladreit de Lacharrière added: “Fimalac’s build up strategy has proven highly successful in creating global leaders in financial ratings, digital media and production fields.
“Today I am very proud to help Jellyfish and Tradelab join forces to build a new global leader with a unique set of expertise and talents, helping brands navigate technology and data.”
Founded in 2005, Jellyfish works with brands including Uber, Ebay, Disney, Spotify, Nestlé, Ford, Aviva and ASOS, acting either as a consultancy, agency, training or technology partner.
Meanwhile, the FT reports that the deal is part of Fimalac’s plans to form a rival group to Martin Sorrell’s S4.
Véronique Morali, president of Webedia, Fimalac’s digital media subsidiary, told the publication that the group wants to create a “new kind of agency” akin to Sorrell’s proposition.
