Effect buys Auckland's Born Digital to go national
What's the deal? Wellington-based digital agency Effect has acquired Auckland's Born DigitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → to expand its reach across New Zealand. The combined team will grow from 15 to 25 people, with offices in both cities. Terms were not disclosed.
Who's who? Effect, founded in 2010, offers user experience (UX) design, development, and delivery services for clients in environmental monitoring, emergency management, and local government. Born Digital, founded in 2005, specialises in custom software development, UmbracoDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → CMS, and user interface (UI) and UX design.
Why now? Effect chief executive officer Pete Lister said the company was drawn to Born Digital's national reputation. "We've always admired Born as one of the best digital agencies in Auckland, their work is recognised right across New Zealand," he said.
What's the endgame? The deal lets Effect offer a full-service digital partnership from strategy and design through build and support. Born Digital's clients — which include Toyota Financial ServicesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Auckland CouncilDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Tegel — gain access to Effect's technical and delivery capability.
What changes for customers? Both companies are Umbraco and Microsoft partners and will keep serving existing clients, with no disruption to current projects or teams. "We'll continue to deliver portals, kiosks, apps and websites with a stronger design arm and strategy," said Born Digital general manager Pam Clifford.
The signal: This is a strategic, operational tie-up rather than a market-moving consolidation. By combining capabilities and adding an Auckland base, Effect buys geographic coverage and scale in one step.
Read more: reseller.co.nz
Image credit: vancouverfilmschool
