Launched in 2008 by Dentsu Inc, &c’s business in China will accelerate US-headquartered Merkle’s growth in the region, while Merkle’s data and technology will boost &c’s offerings to its client base.

&c’s services include interactive marketing strategy, creative and design, media planning and buying, SEM, video marketing, ePR and social media, mobile and e-commerce.

Established in 2010, Merkle China’s services include CRM consulting, data management, marketing technology, data analytics, web and media analytics and loyalty programmes.

Phil Teeman, chief executive officer, Dentsu Aegis Network China said: “With the strategy of becoming a 100% digital economy business by 2020, Dentsu Aegis Network will continue to focus on building successful solutions for our clients and driving our product offering forward supported by a full range of digital and data capabilities.”

Headquartered in Beijing with offices in Shanghai and Guangzhou, &c employs almost 300 and will bring Merkle China’s total employees to 800. It has partnerships with Baidu, as its first 4A agency partner, Alimama, and UnionPay Smart.