Ad Age has named Accenture Interactive the largest digital network, both worldwide and in the U.S., in its Agency Report 2017, released today. This is the second consecutive year in which Accenture (NYSE:ACN) Interactive was ranked the largest digital network. The analysis is based on an evaluation of more than 700 agencies, networks and companies.

Ad Age’s annual Agency Report includes agency rankings based on worldwide and U.S. revenues in 2016. Accenture Interactive reported the highest worldwide revenue of any digital network, at $4.4 billion for Accenture’s fiscal year 2016 (fiscal year end August 31), reflecting year-over-year growth of 50.9%. Accenture Interactive also vaulted to the top spot of the world’s largest consolidated networks, up from #4 last year.

Accenture Interactive ranked as follows:

Worldwide

  • #1 – World’s 15 Largest Digital Networks
  • #1 – World’s 25 Largest Consolidated Networks
  • #6 – World’s 25 Largest Agency Companies

US

  • #1 – 50 Largest U.S. Digital Networks
  • #2 – Largest U.S. Agencies from All Disciplines

The rankings reflect a banner year for Accenture Interactive and significantly increased demand for its differentiated customer experience capabilities that connect marketing, technology and brand.

“Brands today are created by a series of interconnected experiences people have with a company across multiple, increasingly digital, channels,” said Brian Whipple, head of Accenture Interactive. “Customer experience requires a new level of connectivity between marketing, business and technology, and clients are coming to us looking for a merger of these three worlds. Our ranking is further validation of our unique service model: one that combines equal parts creative agency, business consultancy, and technology powerhouse – all laser focused on creating the best customer experiences on the planet.”

2016 was a milestone year for Accenture Interactive, including having:

  • Launched new inventions, including the first 3D virtual car visualizer using augmented reality; Accenture Genome, next-generation personalization technology, and one of the first customer service chatbots in the airline industry
  • Entered new markets, including Argentina and Japan via the acquisition of IMJ
  • Opened Accenture Interactive Studios in Hong Kong; Brazil; Chicago; and a Fjord design studio in Dublin – all collaborative work environments to foster co-creation with clients
  • Landed new clients, including Cushman & Wakefield, ENGIE, Golden State Warriors, L’Oreal and SKY Cable Corporation
  • Named Partner of Year by Adobe, SAP Hybris and Elastic Path
  • Hired industry luminaries such as former Rosetta CEO Tammy Soares, Mayo Clinic’s Lorna Ross and celebrated Brazilian creative director, Eco Moliterno

“The digitization of everything is fundamentally changing the way brands attract and engage consumers, and this requires a new breed of agency partner with deep technology skills to help reimagine every aspect of the customer and user experience,” said Roxanne Taylor, Accenture’s chief marketing & communications officer. “CMOs are looking for solutions at the intersection of branding, marketing and technology and for partners who can bring innovative thinking and skills to help them create a culture of disruption and experimentation. We’re proud that Ad Age has recognized Accenture Interactive and sees that we are offering something unique and innovative to the marketplace.”

According to the Agency Report, digital overall captured 46.6% of U.S. agency revenue in 2016 -- up from 8% the previous year. The report notes that the agency landscape continues to evolve, and consultancies are rising fast “by gaining a foothold in marketing departments and wooing chief marketing officers with their vast array of strategic and data analytics solutions to big business problems.” Advertising Age’s 73rd Agency Report, published annually since 1945, includes rankings of the largest agencies and agency companies based on previous year’s revenue and is available at AdAge.com/agencyreport2017.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 401,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture Interactive helps the world’s leading brands transform their customer experiences across the entire customer journey. Through our connected offerings in design, marketing, content and commerce, we create new ways to win in today’s experience-led economy. Accenture Interactive was ranked the world’s largest and fastest-growing digital agency in the latest Ad Age Agency Report. To learn more follow us @accenturesocial and visit www.accentureinteractive.com.

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