GLOBAL – FRANCE, JANUARY 30, 2012: AKQA, the recent winner of Digital Agency of the Year on both sides of the Atlantic, today is expanding in Paris. The agency opens with Nike as its launch client. 2012 marks the 12th year that AKQA and Nike have worked together. This is the eighth opening for the largest independent digital agency, which has more than 1,100 employees around the world.
“We are absolutely delighted to partner with AKQA in France,” said Manuel Douchez, head of brand communication in Nike France. “With its creative talents and innovation lead, AKQA is uniquely positioned to deliver ground-breaking digital ideas and campaigns for Nike in France.”
“Thanks to the work of our team and the confidence from our clients, we are able to realise a long-held dream of opening in Paris, one of the world’s most influential and dynamic cities. We are tremendously excited about the adventure ahead with Nike as our founding client,” said Ajaz Ahmed, founder and chairman of AKQA.
The creative team that will lead the Paris office includes Peter Lund, creative director, and Nicolai Smith, associate creative director, Julien Veillon, associate creative director and a native French copywriter.
James Hilton, chief creative officer and co-founder, stated, “This all-star creative line-up is a dream team for our Paris launch. We look forward to benefiting from the immense creative talent-base in France to make additional hires.”
Peter Lund, creative director, said, “For us AKQA is a company of entrepreneurs, innovators and storytellers who create exceptional work. We’re delighted to be part of the revolution.”
AKQA’s office in Paris will be located in the heart of Saint Germain, the vibrant Latin Quarter in central Paris. Recruitment across Europe has started and the team will expand over the coming months. In 2012, AKQA plans to recruit an additional 40 people for its new office in Paris.
In 2006, AKQA opened its office in Amsterdam and launched in Berlin in 2010. Guy Wieynk, AKQA’s European Managing Director, will oversee management of the new office.
