Accenture to Buy South African Marcoms Group King James

Accenture is to acquire South African data-driven brand strategy, creativity and digital marketing services provider King James Group, owner of a majority stake in Cedar, which combines audience insight and commercial data to reach customers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

From offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, King James Digital offers services to help clients create ideas and products, including social media, web, mobile and platform development, eCommerce, user experience (UX) design, and digital transformation consulting. In addition to its stake in content specialist Cedar, the group owns retail and shopper marketing agency 34.

As part of Accenture's first acquisition in Africa, King James Group's team of 300 creative and brand experts will join Accenture Interactive in South Africa. Haydn Townsend (pictured), Accenture Interactive's MD for South Africa, comments: 'King James Group's creativity and strength in driving marketing and communications that result in brand equity, will meet our clients' demands for a single partner with seamless offerings across marketing, commerce and experience.'

Web sites: www.accenture.com and www.kingjames.co.za .