Omar Oakes
Sep 9, 2020

Deloitte Digital expands creative shop Acne despite downturn

Swedish creative agency has been re-formed as a 'consultancy' during three years under Deloitte management.

Acne portrayed the Mona Lisa holding an Ikea bag in 2017's 'Ikea's response to Da Vinci'
Acne portrayed the Mona Lisa holding an Ikea bag in 2017's 'Ikea's response to Da Vinci'

Delotte Digital’s creative consultancy Acne is bidding to expand across Europe by opening a string of new offices despite the coronavirus downturn.

Acne has set up offices in Milan, Rome, Lisbon and Dublin – in addition to existing presences in Stockholm (its headquarters), London and Berlin.

Deloitte bought Acne in 2017 and hired ex-Havas London executive creative director and Work Club co-founder Andy Sandoz at around the same time to oversee the agency, as well as Deloitte Digital’s wider creative offering. Deloitte Digital said it has turned Acne into a consultancy (rather than an agency) since the acquisition.

Sandoz said: “With creative consultancy increasingly in demand across Europe, opening the doors of Acne’s new offices will bring new opportunities for our clients to benefit from their creativity.” 

Despite all the major advertising holding companies announcing double-digit falls in revenue this summer due to the shock of the pandemic, Acne said its European headcount will increase by 48 as it aims to strengthen its Continental network. However, not all of these 48 staff members will be new recruits, with some being “existing Deloitte Digital talent” who have been reassigned.

While the business’ core offering of “brand, advertising and content” sounds similar to that of most creative agencies, Acne insists it is a “fast-moving creative partner” and boasts Ikea, Polestar and Instagram among its clients.

Source:
Campaign UK

Related Articles

Just Published

14 hours ago

Agency Report Card 2024: Ogilvy

Ogilvy APAC celebrated a strong creative year in 2024, clinching top regional honours at Cannes Lions. Yet operational headwinds, particularly in China, tested its resilience and reshaped its growth strategy.

15 hours ago

Campaign Global Agency of the Year Awards 2024: ...

Ogilvy and UM win global network of the year awards for creative and media respectively, while Special agency in New Zealand earns Asia-Pacific network of the year.

17 hours ago

Apple Watch’s heart story strikes a chord in Japan

Apple’s new Japan campaign tells the real-life story of a heavy metal fan whose Apple Watch alerts help detect a life-threatening heart condition just in time.

17 hours ago

2025 Cannes Contenders: RGA creatives weigh in

A ubiquitous surname, a sexually transmitted infection, the printing of memories and an animal god that helps gamers might all bring fame glory to campaigns in Cannes next week.