Accenture ups design and creative capabilities with new acquisition

Accenture has continued its acquisition blitz, snapping up creative agency The Monkeys and design business Maud, as the company looks to build out its digital interactive capabilities across ANZ.

Sydney based The Monkeys has 130 employees and provides offerings across advertising, entertainment, technology and design, with a client base that includes Telstra, Livestock Australia, Qantas and

Accenture says the acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will strengthen the customer experience capabilities of Accenture Interactive, Accenture's digital agency.

It says the deal bolsters the digital customer transformation services Accenture Interactive provides to chief marketing officers and chief digital officers, from creative to technology, spanning experience design, marketing, content and commerce.

Brian Whipple, head of Accenture Interactive, says customer experience is the new battleground.

"This acquisition will enable Accenture Interactive to integrate creative excellence with digital customer experience delivery," Whipple says.

"Together, we're bringing our unique model to the market: part creative agency, part business consultancy and part technology powerhouse – all focused on creating the best customer experiences on the planet.

Michael Buckley, Accenture Interactive Australia and New Zealand head, says "This acquisition further differentiates Accenture Interactive as a new breed of agency providing CMOs with innovative thinking and a new set of connected capabilities to win in today's experience-led economy.

The Monkey's senior management, including chief executive mark Green, chief creative officers Justin Drape and Scott Nowell and Maud chief creative officer David Park will continue in their current roles and take on expanded Accenture Interactive leadership positions.

Green says the deal enables the company to 'dramatically' enhance its ability to connect brand stratgy and creative all the way through to customer experience delivery.

The deal is the twelfth acquisition for Accenture Interactive since 2013.