NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading advertising trade publication Ad Age has named Accenture Interactive (NYSE: ACN) the largest digital agency worldwide in its Agency Report 2019, published today. This is the fourth consecutive year in which Accenture Interactive was ranked at the top of the digital leaderboard. The analysis is based on an evaluation of more than 500 agencies, networks and companies.

The Ad Age Agency Report 2019 includes agency rankings based on worldwide and U.S. revenues in 2018. Accenture Interactive reported the highest worldwide revenue of any digital agency network, at $8.5 billion for Accenture’s fiscal year 2018 (ended August 31, 2018), reflecting 30 percent annual growth.

Accenture Interactive ranked as follows:

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

The recognition reflects a banner year for Accenture Interactive and strong demand for its proposition as a new breed of agency, combining equal parts business consultancy, creativity agency and technology powerhouse to help clients realize their experience transformation ambitions.

“Brands today are essentially built through the experience of interacting with the brand, and we are focused on creating meaningful experiences for citizens, employees, patients and customers all over the world,” said Brian Whipple, global CEO, Accenture Interactive. “The sweet spot lies at the intersection of purpose and innovation, yet our collective technology is vastly ahead of our application of that technology for human good. While we are humbled by the Ad Age accolade, there is much work for us all to do going forward. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together with our clients.”

Calendar year 2018 was a milestone year for Accenture Interactive, including having:

• Pioneered new inventions, including a virtual merchandising solution for Kellogg’s; a revolutionary endoscopy solution for Auris Health; and the OceanMedallion™ wearable that transforms the vacation experience for cruise ship passengers.

• Launched Programmatic Services to bring greater transparency and efficiency to media buying.
• Acquired nine award-winning digital marketing and creative agencies in 2018: Adaptly, Altima, Kolle Rebbe, Kaplan, HO Communication, MXM, Mackevision, New Content and Rothco (“Agency of the Year” winner at Eurobest 2018). Accenture Interactive kicked off 2019 by acquiring Hjatlelin Stah, Shackleton and Storm Digital and recently made waves by announcing its intent to acquire creative powerhouse Droga5.
• Landed new accounts, including BMW, Ovaltine, Radisson, Sanofi and Shell.
• Opened innovation hubs in Atlanta, Johannesburg, Seattle, Tokyo and Zurich.
• Named founding member and innovation partner for The Walt Disney Studios’ StudioLAB.
• Awarded 2018 Partner of the Year by Adobe and SAP Hybris.
• Named a Leader in The Forrester Wave™ for Digital Experience Agencies and in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Digital Marketing Agencies.

According to the Agency Report, digital remained a bright spot in a year that showed the weakest growth (1.7 percent) for U.S. agencies since the ad market emerged from recession. Digital revenue for U.S. agencies increased a healthy 7.2 percent, accounting for an estimated 53.6 percent of revenue for U.S. agencies from all disciplines in 2018. Another bright spot? Employment. Ad Age writes: “Employment for major consultancies tracked in this Agency Report jumped 19 percent in the U.S. and 25 percent worldwide in 2018.”

Ad Age’s 75th Agency Report, published annually since 1945, includes rankings of the largest agencies and agency companies based on prior year revenue and is available at: AdAge.com/agencyreport2019.

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 477,000 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 is ranked the world’s largest digital agency in the latest Ad Age Agency Report, for the third year in a row, and was named a 2019 Most Innovative Company in Advertising by Fast Company. To learn more, follow us @AccentureACTIVEand visit www.accentureinteractive.com.