Dentsu Aegis Network acquires Chinese ecommerce agency EBP

Dentsu Aegis Network has made a significant acquisition in China with the purchase of ecommerce agency Shanghai EBP Internet Technology (EBP).  The agency, with about 80 employees in Shanghai and Beijing, was founded in 2012.

EBP works with brands on integrated ecommerce services on major platforms, like consulting, go-to-market strategy, campaigns, as well as online store operation, UX and data services.

The agency was founded by current chief executive, Frank Xu who will now remain CEO of the rebranded agency as EBP-an iProspect Company. Xu will report into iProspect China CEO, Tony Chen. The EBP team will now be moving into the China iProspect offices this month to form a workforce of about 200 employees, with teams working together ahead of 11.11.

iProspect, DAN's performance marketing agency currently works on consumer conversion for brands like Burberry, Nike, and Microsoft. 

“EBP will accelerate Dentsu Aegis China’s strategy to develop capabilities in ecommerce and will enable iProspect China to deliver its marketplace optimisation products by providing transact services on third party shopping sites in the world’s largest e-commerce market” said Michelle Lau, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network China. "This acquisition will create many synergies and strengthen our existing relationships, opening opportunities for each of our client portfolios.”

EBP has already been working closely with Dentsu Aegis Network China agencies for some time. Xu claims it has found the "perfect partner" in this deal. "We complement each other’s strengths, with EBP bringing advanced e-commerce capabilities at scale, and iProspect bringing a diverse client base,” he said.