Accenture Interactive Named Largest Digital Network Worldwide by Advertising Age in Annual Agency Report

Ad Age has named Accenture Interactive the largest digital network worldwide in its Agency Report 2018. This is the third consecutive year in which Accenture Interactive was ranked the largest digital network worldwide. The analysis is based on an evaluation of more than 600 agencies, networks and companies.

Ad Age’s annual Agency Report includes agency rankings based on worldwide and U.S. revenues in 2017. Accenture Interactive reported the highest worldwide revenue of any digital network, at $6.5 billion for Accenture’s fiscal year 2017 (ended August 31, 2017), reflecting year-over-year growth of 35%.

Accenture Interactive ranked as follows:

• #1 – World’s 15 Largest Digital Networks
• #1 – World’s 25 Largest Consolidated Networks
• #6 – World’s 25 Largest Agency Companies

The rankings reflect a banner year for Accenture Interactive and significantly increased demand for its differentiated customer experience capabilities that connect creativity, strategy and technology.

“The future is all about creating the ultimate customer experience,” said Brian Whipple, global head of Accenture Interactive. “Brands today are built by a series of interconnected experiences consumers have with a company across multiple, increasingly digital, channels. Our model is purpose-built on assembling the right mix of digital and business transformation skills to deliver the best customer experiences on the planet. I’m extremely grateful to our clients and team who deserve all the credit for this success.”

Calendar year 2017 was a milestone year for Accenture Interactive, including having:

• Pioneered inventions, including an AI-driven programmatic video format and Accenture Genome, next-generation personalization technology
• Launched an Extended Reality group and added industrial design capabilities to its Fjord design & innovation unit
• Entered new markets, including Buenos Aires and Colombia and opened a Digital Hub in Singapore – all collaborative work environments to foster co-creation with clients
• Landed new accounts, including Maserati, The Vatican, and Wärtsilä
• Hired industry luminaries such as former Wunderman president Eduardo Bicudo
• Acquired award-winning agencies, including SinnerSchrader (Germany), Kunstmaan (Belgium), The Monkeys (Australia), MATTER and Wire Stone (US)

According to the Agency Report, digital overall captured 51% of 2017 U.S. revenue for agencies of all disciplines – reflecting a growth rate of 7%, versus 8% in 2016. The report notes that, despite overall lackluster category growth, parts of the agency market are thriving.

Digital work in 2017 accounted for more than half of U.S. agency revenue for the very first time. Also, consultancies for the first time captured spots 6 to 10 on the list of the world’s biggest agency companies, and “are well-positioned with deep ties to the C-suite,” says lead writer, Bradley Johnson.

Ad Age’s 74^th Agency Report, published annually since 1945, includes rankings of the largest agencies and agency companies based on prior year revenue and is available at AdAge.