Publicis China buys digital product consultancy Wiredcraft

Publicis Groupe China will acquire Wiredcraft, a digital product consultancy and technology company focused on China and APAC, with offices in Shanghai and Singapore. With over 100 experts in fields such as technology, design, and engineering, this deal will help grow Publicis' digital transformation capabilities in China.

According to a media statement, this purchase will connect Wiredcraft to the existing Publicis Sapient, Digitas and Edge (a technology, data and insights unit). All told, Publicis will house 600 people for digital technology and consulting in China. 

Ronan Berder, CEO and founder of Wiredcraft, said this deal would help his firm expand its capabilities in China and APAC. Publicis' portfolio of partners will also help Wiredcraft expand into fintech, health and FMCG.

Wiredcraft's leadership team

"With the disruption of sales channels, (brands) are looking for a more resilient digital ecosystem primed for growth," said Jane Lin-Baden, managing partner of Publicis Groupe APAC and CEO of Publicis Groupe North Asia. "With Wiredcraft, Publicis Sapient, Digitas and Edge, Publicis is aiming to house the strongest technology and data team of any agency holding group in China.”

Wiredcraft will be led by Ronan Berder, with China CEO Vincent Viallet, technology director Juha Suomalainen and product director Quentin Berder. Berder be based in Singapore to drive the expansion of the business across APAC and Viallet will lead the China business out of Shanghai. Berder will report to Lin-Baden.

Established in 2009, Wiredcraft has created digital products for global brands across industries including apparel, hospitality, automobile, and luxury. The consultancy's solutions cover digital transformation, direct-to-consumer ecommerce, and customer loyalty data.