IBM is to acquire the Australian business of innovation consultancy Vivant Digital as part of a move to boost its own digital agency IBM iX.
The deal will see Vivant merged into IBM iX, with IBM saying it will help accelerate client digital transformations.
Vivant chief executive and founder Anthony Farah will also take up the role of Digital Strategy & iX leader for IBM Australia and New Zealand.
“Customer experience is a critical element as our clients develop their business strategy,” said Paul Papas, Global Leader, IBM iX.
{loadposition peter}“IBM shares a similar design, consulting and management philosophy with Vivant, and our combined teams will raise the bar for experience-led, design driven, digital reinvention.”
IBM iX and Vivant — based in Sydney and Melbourne respectively — say they will address the growing need of clients seeking transformation though innovative digital business models and bold customer experiences.
“This is an exciting direction for Vivant clients and employees. We now have scale and greater opportunity to address the growing needs of CEOs and innovation leaders willing to disrupt the market by seeking out new business models,” Farah said. “We see it as converging the best of big with the best of small."
The acquisition of Vivant adds to IBM’s acquisitions during 2016 as part of its strategy to rapidly expands its iX global capabilities.
The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017.