Ogilvy buys majority stake in Arba

Hong Kong-based digital consultancy Arba Holdings has sold a majority stake to Ogilvy & Mather.

With a staff of 40, Arba specialises in digital design and software engineering. The consultancy serves many high profile financial brands such as FWD, Prudential, and Hang Seng Bank.

For the year ending March 2017, Arba’s revenues were around HKD 17.3 million (US$2.2 million) while net assets were valued at around HKD 5.8 million (US$ 742,000). Ogilvy hopes the Arba investment will bolster its digital capabilities, with a focus on mobile development and CRM. 

The acquisition falls in line with the three strategic pillars of WPP: technology, data, and content. Arba now joins WPP's roster of digital businesses which include Wunderman and Hogarth.

WPP companies in Greater China generate revenues of almost US$1.6 billion and employ over 13,000 people. Digital accounted for 39% of WPP's revenue for the year ending 2016, rising to 41% for the year ending 2017. WPP has set out a target to achieve 40-45% of revenues from digital within the next four to five years.