April 21st, 2023
JAKALA, the leading MarTech firm and portfolio company of Ardian Buyout, acquires FFW, a key player in the market, developing digital experience solutions for major enterprises and corporations.
JAKALA, the leading martech company globally that drives transformation of its customers by combining data, technology, and multidisciplinary skills, boosts its growth path by entering into binding agreement for the largest non-publicly traded digital agency deal in Europe to-date in 2023, acquiring FFW, a global company based in Denmark with offices in Germany, USA, UK and France, that provides digital transformation services.
FFW is a global digital platform agency that combines data insights, strategy, design, and development to create engaging digital experiences empowering the success of the world's leading organisations.
With the acquisition of FFW, JAKALA reinforces its presence worldwide, with offices in more than 20 countries, growing its workforce from the current more than 2.000 professionals to almost 3.000, with a total turnover of more than 500 Million Euro. In the last five years, JAKALA has continued its growth path keeping an average growth rate of 20% on turnover.
To support the continuous growth and its innovative business model, JAKALA counts on multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams with an average age of 34, equally distributed by gender.
The Group has expanded through strong organic growth and has also made numerous acquisitions, integrating new competencies and skills to evolve its offering.
JAKALA and FFW operate in a fast-changing market, helping their clients, especially large corporations, to maximise the use of technology and data to improve and develop their business, through innovative projects in the areas of sales, marketing and digital experience.
This strategic acquisition will also provide a competitive advantage for clients of both firms, who will benefit from an enhanced service offering.
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
"This latest acquisition enhances JAKALA's position in the market and represents a crucial step on our international growth path. With FFW, we strengthen and expand our digital offering, and we increase our foreign revenue up to 50% of our total company earnings", said Stefano Pedron, CEO of JAKALA.
“JAKALA and FFW have a lot in common: their History and DNA are both committed to innovation and growth", added Matteo de Brabant, Founder, and President of JAKALA - "This is an exciting journey that sees JAKALA getting closer to the goal of becoming one of the biggest digital companies worldwide.”
"At FFW, we are absolutely thrilled to become a part of JAKALA. This collaboration marks the perfect next step in our quest to deliver the ultimate client experience. Our team remains at the heart of our operations, and this exciting development promises even more incredible career growth opportunities. Stefano and Matteo have crafted a company with remarkable capabilities, striving for a leading global position in our industry. We couldn't be prouder to contribute to this ambitious vision”, adds Michael Koefoed Steensborg Drejer, CEO FFW.
Matteo de Brabant (Founder JAKALA), Michael Drejer (Global CEO FFW), Stefano Pedron (CEO JAKALA) – from left
About JAKALA
JAKALA is an integrated ecosystem of diverse talents and innovative business solutions that come together to drive value for organisations, people, and society. Working closely alongside their clients, they unlock their potential by uncovering new opportunities, empowering decision-making, and enabling sustainable growth, thereby generating a positive impact on their businesses.
Since Matteo de Brabant established the company in 2000, JAKALA has grown into a multifaceted, highly skilled, and international team of talents. In 2021, Ardian, the world-leading private investment fund, acquired a majority stake in JAKALA. Today, JAKALA is the leading Martech company in Europe, with headquarters in Milan and offices in thirteen countries worldwide. Their data-driven approach, backed by a winning formula of strategy, innovation, tech transformation, and engagement and activation, is the cornerstone of their work.
JAKALA is a Benefit Company - on the path of obtaining B-Corp certification - integrating profit objectives with sustainable principles, pursuing a positive footprint on the ecosystem and all its stakeholders.
About FFW
FFW is a global digital platform agency that combines data insights, strategy, design, and development to create engaging experiences that make websites captivating and every visit valuable. With 21 offices in eleven countries, including the U.S., major European countries and Vietnam, 800 team members work for clients such as Panasonic, Pfizer, Randstad and TUI Cruises.
FFW was founded in 2000. After various expansion steps, a merger of Propeople (Denmark), Blink Reaction (U.S.), and Cellular (Germany) resulted in today’s FFW Group. More than 20 of the world’s 2000 largest companies are among their clients.
Media contacts:
Ryan Pirkle
Senior Director Marketing & Comms, FFW Americas
Tel. +1 (866) 822 - 2617
Stefanie Bilen
Director Marketing & Comms, FFW Europe
Tel. +49 179 132 45 28
Alessandra Rizzi
Head of Corporate Communications, Jakala
Tel. +39 333 2968101