WPP Buys US Innovation Studio Deeplocal

WPP Digital has acquired Pittsburgh, PA-based Deeplocal, an in-house innovation studio focused on product development, design and engineering. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2006 by artist and engineer Nathan Martin (pictured) as a spin-off from Carnegie Mellon University, Deeplocal specializes in strategy-led creative inventions and marketing campaigns through the design, engineering, and building of working prototypes and products. It has a team of 50, whose skill sets including robotics, hardware development, electrical engineering, software development, industrial design, strategy and creative. Last year, the firm's gross revenues were approximately $12m.

As part of the deal, Deeplocal will join the group's portfolio of digital companies which includes marketing technology consultancy Acceleration, content management technology specialist Cognifide, data cooperative Conexance, eCommerce firm Salmon and digital product technology provider Hogarth. In 2016, WPP's digital revenues were more than $7.5 billion, representing 39% of the group's total of $19.4 billion.

Web sites: www.wpp.com and www.deeplocal.com .