JWT Buys Majority Stake in NZ Digital Agency Heyday

WPP marcoms group JWT has acquired a majority stake in Wellington, New Zealand-based digital agency Heyday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Heyday was founded in 2000 by Luke Pierson (pictured), and its services include digital strategy, visual design, user experience research, analytics, content development, digital film, smartphone applications and web application development. The company employs a team of 35, which includes researchers, writers, strategists and designers. For the year ending 31st March 2014, its revenues were $NZ 4.0m.

John Gutteridge, CEO JWT Australia & New Zealand, comments: 'Luke and the team have created a terrific business with big ambitions. The two businesses have quite different skills, allowing the group to deliver broader, faster, deeper and better solutions to existing clients and future prospects in both Auckland and Wellington. It's exciting to be expanding to Wellington where we look forward to shaking things up with a more progressive model.'

In Australia and New Zealand, WPP companies (including associates) generate revenues of US$1.2 billion and employ more than 4,000 people. For 2013, WPP's digital revenues (including associates) were over US$6 billion, representing almost 35% of the group's total revenues of US$17.3 billion.

Web sites: www.wpp.com , www.jwt.com and www.heyday.co.nz .