Firstborn Joins Isobar Global Network

Dentsu Aegis Network US today announced that Firstborn, a leading strategic design and technology company, will join the global network of Isobar. Together, the two companies will offer enhanced digital, design, and technology solutions to help marketers holistically transform their businesses at speed and scale.

This powerful combination supports a market need, as clients are increasingly looking for partners who can not only strategically advise them on how to digitise and modernise their businesses, but also concept, design, and execute a broader enterprise transformation strategy from end to end.  The combination of Isobar—recognised by Forrester as one of the 10 most significant innovation agencies —and Firstborn—named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies—will deliver clients more holistic enterprise solutions suited to their needs. Together, Isobar and Firstborn will provide proven expertise in large-scale digital transformation; strong creative, and experience design talent; and industry-leading capabilities in emerging technology, including VR, AR and AI.

Clients of both agencies will benefit from this affiliation with expanded depth and breadth of capabilities as well as enhanced global scale and reach.  Firstborn clients will be able to leverage Isobar’s global network and scaled technology implementation capabilities. Isobar was recognised as a Leader in the March 2016 Gartner “Magic Quadrant for Global Digital Marketing Agencies” for the second consecutive time in a row and as a Leader in the “The Forrester Wave: Digital Experience Service Providers, Q4 2015.” For Isobar, Firstborn adds award-winning talent and capabilities in the areas of design, development and content production to the breadth of Isobar’s current offerings.

Both shops will also have the added benefit of access to shared resources, methodologies, tools and platforms, as well as the power to jointly and aggressively invest in emerging technology and innovation practices. By investing in emerging areas like AR, VR and AI, Dentsu Aegis Network is positioned to lead as a power player in the era of ongoing technology-fuelled disruption.

Firstborn, which creates interactive experiences, digital products and content for clients like PepsiCo, S&P Global, Supercell and L’Oreal, with its 105 employees, will continue to service clients from its Tribeca, NYC headquarters. Firstborn is a three-time Crain’s Best Places to Work in New York City winner, and its work has been recognized with numerous awards including Clios, Cannes Lions and One Show Pencils. The agency has also been placed on prestigious rosters such as Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and Advertising Age’s Agency A-List. Firstborn has created award-winning VR experiences for clients like Mountain Dew, Patrón and Audible. Dan LaCivita will continue to serve as CEO of Firstborn and also join Isobar’s Management Team in the US. 

Rob Horler, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network USA, said: "As a group, we continue to focus on supporting the needs of our clients by strengthening capability and scale as a digital economy business. Clients are grappling with the disruption of their established business models that digitisation and convergence has wrought. As early digital pioneers, Isobar and Firstborn are together uniquely suited to help marketers navigate the market’s complexity, as well as transform their businesses to thrive in it now and in the future.”

Dan LaCivita, CEO of Firstborn said: “We’re increasingly being asked to help clients transform their businesses to be more digitally-driven. Being able to leverage Isobar’s consulting services and deep enterprise solutions will help us guide clients with the strongest mix of data, design and technology capabilities available today.”

Geoff Cubitt, Co-CEO of Isobar US said:  “Isobar has been a leader in VR globally, pushing the envelope of VR and Mixed Reality with our clients GM, Wyndham, USAF as well as multiple record labels.  Firstborn has done fantastic VR work with clients such as Mountain Dew, Patrón, Chevron and Audible. Together we will continue to strengthen our relationships with the leading VR device companies Facebook/Oculus, Google, PlayStation, HTC/Valve and Samsung and be expand our VR studio, production facilities and 3D rendering facilities creating a capability that is second to none.”