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The AKQA co-founder Ajaz Ahmed says being part ofWPP will boost the agency's reach without compromising creativity
WPP's surprise acquisition of AKQA for a reported $540 million was the group's biggest purchase since Razorfish in 2009 and followed other, aborted approaches by Sir Martin Sorrell.The deal bolsters WPP's digital credentials, but what does it mean for AKQA? Ajaz Ahmed, its co-founder and chief executive, explains all.
Having been courted by WPP on previous occasions only for you to thwart the advances, what tempted you on this occasion? Was it your choice or that of your larger shareholders?
Every five years or so, we have a defining moment that we call "powerups". These allow us to reinvent our agency. The first of these was when we made the decision to launch AKQA in the US. The second was when we made the decision to grow our company from 500 to 1 ,000 people in multiple regions. The third is now - we have made the decision that we want to support our clients in the geographies theyneedustobein.
At the same time, we want to give our team more opportunities to grow their careers and experiences internationally. We also aspire to build one of the world's great creative companies that will endure for decades. Martin [Sorrell] and his team at WPP share our vision, values and ambition for what AKQA could become.
Did you have discussions with other networks and, if so, why did you tum them away?
Given our record, the trajectory AKQA is on, the momentum and consistency of the work, many types of company got in touch with us. We have had regular communications with potential investors over the years.
We also have a duty to our clients, employees and...