Management consulting firm Sia is set to acquire UK-based agency The Upside, in a move that will bolster Sia’s branding, strategy, and innovation capabilities in the region. The acquisition is part of Sia’s broader growth strategy and will see The Upside become a key component of Sia’s Next-Gen positioning.

The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed. However, the deal comes just two months after Sia secured a 250 million euros minority investment from Blackstone. The Upside is a leading consulting agency known for its work in branding, strategy and innovation. The agency has a strong presence in the UK market and works with a diverse range of clients across the tech, retail and consumer goods sectors.

The acquisition of The Upside will enable Sia to expand its service offerings in the UK and further reinforce its Next-Gen positioning. In particular, the move will allow Sia to tap into The Upside’s expertise in branding, innovation and cultural strategy. The acquisition will also see The Upside’s team of 20 strategists join Sia. The agency is led by Niku Banaie, who will take on the role of partner at Sia and head up the firm’s brand, innovation, and culture practice in the UK.

“This acquisition is a natural step in our growth, reinforcing our expertise in next-gen consulting and expanding our presence in the UK market,” said Sia CEO Matthieu Courtecuisse. “The Upside’s expertise further enhances our capabilities, allowing us to deliver even more innovative services to our clients.”

Founded in 2013, The Upside has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner among some of the leading companies in Tech, Retail and Consumer Goods. The consulting agency delivers a broad range of projects, from brand positioning, product and service innovation, sustainability and cultural impact, and the strategy behind leading consumer product launches. With a team of 20 strategists, The Upside generated £6.2M (7 euros.2M) in revenue in FY24.

SOURCE: SIA

NOT FOR REPRINT

© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.