Dentsu Aegis Network Expands Footprint in Australia with Acquisition of Search Factory

Dentsu Aegis Network today announces the acquisition of digital marketing agency Search Factory in Brisbane, Australia. This is a strategic step in cementing iProspect’s leadership position in the country as the largest performance marketing agency, following the recent addition of Scorch in Melbourne and Sydney.

 To be known as Search Factory│iProspect, the agency will become part of Dentsu Aegis Network’s global performance marketing brand iProspect in Australia – now with more than 200 people nationally, and significantly boosting its scale and capabilities in the Brisbane market.

 Search Factory was founded in 2011 by Nic Blair and is one of Brisbane’s leading search and performance agencies, now with 24 people led by Nic Blair and co-owner and CEO Michael Bell. It is a market leader in delivery of services including search engine marketing, content marketing and development, analytics as well as digital strategy and brings together both local and global talent and knowledge to deliver cutting edge solutions for its clients.

 Nick Waters, CEO Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific, said: “iProspect is Asia Pacific’s leading search and performance media agency and is already a strong business in Australia. This segment of the market will continue to develop quickly and acquiring Search Factory enables iProspect to scale in Brisbane, extending its national coverage, and further enhancing the Group’s leadership position.”

 Ruth Stubbs, CEO iProspect APAC, said: “Search Factory brings an enormous amount of experience and knowledge into the network to further strengthen our offering in Australia and across the region. Their talent in the leadership, the tenure of the core teams and the almost innate capability as performance media practitioners, is second to none. Their vision strategically aligns with iProspect’s global ambition for market leadership through driving digital performance and I am excited about the future innovation this business will deliver for iProspect in the region.”

Michael Bell said: “Nic and I are very excited to bring our business into the Dentsu Aegis Network. With a number of highly successful and reputable brands operating within the network in Brisbane, our partnership creates a massive opportunity for us to progress and mature the local market. The reputation of iProspect precedes itself as a global powerhouse when it comes to performance marketing, and partnering them will allow additional services into our remit, which is a huge win for Search Factory, our clients and people.”

Post acquisition, Nic Blair will become Director and Michael Bell Managing Director of Search Factory│iProspect, reporting to iProspect ANZ CEO Dan Kalinski. The Search Factory founders have been recognised with numerous industry awards including a nomination as EY Entrepeneur of the Year for Michael Bell, Smart Company 30 Under 30 2014, BRW Fast Starters 2015 and Start Up of the Year 2014 finalist. 

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For further information contact:

Pei Xuan Lim
Communications Manager APAC 
T: +65 6501 1693
E: peixuan.lim@dentsuaegis.com 

 Notes to Editors:

About Dentsu Aegis Network

Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of nine global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, Dentsu media, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 145 countries worldwide with around 32,000 dedicated specialists.