Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Global marketing and tech services company DEPT has recently recertified as a B Corp, stating that it has become first global agency to achieve this milestone. For DEPT, this recertification proves that rapid growth and responsible business can go hand in hand.

Since earning its first B Corp certification in 2021, DEPT has grown from 1,200 people in Europe to over 4,000 across five continents. But while the company has expanded its reach–and its recertification includes each DEPT location, it has also deepened its commitment to balancing profit with purpose. 

In 2024 more than 10% of its profit came from impact projects like Undo the Firewall, and Easy Genomics, and worked for clients such as Daniel’s Music Foundation, ReflexAI, Ocean Spray, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and eBay—proving that business success and doing good don’t have to be at odds. 

In the last three years, DEPT has expanded into the Americas and APAC acquired more than 10 companies and launched some of the most pioneering work in digital. But it has also ensured that every move aligns with its B Corp certification. 

From reducing its carbon footprint to embedding DEI at every level of the business, DEPT has focused on making impact scalable. The company has rolled out initiatives like living wage policies, sustainable procurement standards, and employee assistance programs across all its offices. 

Moreover, as corporate ESG commitments face increasing scrutiny, agencies face more activist activity, and regulations like the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) raise the bar for accountability, DEPT’s B Corp recertification ensures it is well-prepared to meet new requirements and continue leading by example. 

Dimi Albers, global CEO at DEPT, said, “B Corp is more than just a badge of honour. At a time when companies and governments are backing away from ESG commitments, staying B Corp certified helps us remain accountable and transparent in our operations and stay true to our values. It proves that we’re not just talking about sustainability and impact. We’re galvanising it into the DNA of how we operate, who we hire, and the work we deliver for our clients.”

Meanwhile, Pooja Dindigal, global head of impact at DEPT, commented, “The B Corp framework challenges us to keep pushing forward—to be better, more transparent, and more impactful. It’s both a north star and a catalyst for change, helping us navigate the complexities of growth while creating a more sustainable and equitable world. We are committed to this never-ending journey and excited about the positive impact we can achieve together and with our clients.”

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Global digital agency DEPT has appointed David Neal as its new global chief financial officer (CFO). In this role, David will bring together the global finance and operations team, driving innovation and streamlining processes by positioning finance as a strategic partner to the business. 

David brings substantial experience as a chief financial officer, with a proven track record in the marketing and advertising sectors across South and Southeast Asia and global leadership positions. Most recently, he served as the global CFO for Dentsu Creative and Dentsu’s production unit, Tag. 

In his new role, David will be based in London. He will leverage his extensive background to redefine the finance department as a strategic ally within DEPT, enhancing collaboration with other business units—especially operations, and people & culture. Neal will also harness the potential of AI to transform financial processes, fostering a culture of relentless curiosity and innovation. 

Speaking on his new role, David said, “During my conversations with the leadership team and colleagues, I was invigorated by the energy and ambition within DEPT. I realized this is a place where we can do things differently. I hope to transform finance into a true strategic partner, providing insights, analysis, and driving commercial growth.”

Meanwhile, Dimi Albers, global CEO at DEPT, commented, “At DEPT, we’re all about keeping innovation at the core of everything we do. By bringing our finance and operations teams closer together, we are merging two key business areas to drive strategic growth. David will help us unlock new opportunities and ensure that innovation remains at the heart of everything we do.”

David is stepping into the role as Mickey Kalifa moves on after two years with the company. 

“Mickey has been instrumental in creating a more integrated and connected finance team, but his contributions go far beyond the numbers. He’s been an invaluable part of DEPT®, leaving a lasting mark on our culture and everyone he’s worked with. We’re deeply grateful for all he’s done and wish him great success in his next chapter,” Albers said.

London, United Kingdom – Global digital agency DEPT has announced its new partnership with Shopify to unlock tomorrow’s commerce possibilities for today’s most pioneering companies. This new partnership will combine DEPT’s tech expertise with Shopify’s essential internet infrastructure for commerce to offer its clients an integrated solution that leverages technology and AI to support their business growth.

By combining DEPT’s unique blend of technology and marketing services with Shopify’s scalable platform, this partnership enables brands to thrive by supporting the entire digital customer journey—from awareness and acquisition to platform design and backend integration. 

The DEPT agency has the capabilities and award-winning industry recognition to support a variety of clients, internationally and locally, boasting a proven track record with successful digital transformation experiences including for international brands like Diageo, Meyer, Pit Viper, and Cowboy Bikes.

The agency remarked that in today’s complex digital environment, brands face the ‘multi/multi/multi challenge’—managing multiple brands, expanding into multiple markets, and engaging customers across multiple channels. 

These challenges can stifle growth, especially as businesses strive to deliver personalized, seamless experiences while adapting to new technologies like AI. Without an integrated strategy and the full capabilities to execute, brands risk falling behind in a landscape where speed and adaptability are crucial,” DEPT said in a press statement.

The DEPT and Shopify partnership is designed to tackle these complexities head-on, enabling companies to scale globally while maintaining local relevance​.

With over 125 Shopify experts, DEPT leverages its AI innovation accelerator and advanced AI tools such as Shopify’s growing suite of AI-powered tools to enhance personalization, optimise operations, and streamline omnichannel commerce. This fully integrated approach empowers enterprises to scale across regions and markets while maintaining local relevance, allowing brands to grow their commerce business from a single, unified platform.

Ritu Khanna, vice president of partnerships at Shopify, remarked, “Our global partnership with DEPT empowers brands worldwide, enabling them to seamlessly harness Shopify’s innovative commerce technology alongside DEPT’s AI-driven digital solutions to drive growth. As a leading commerce platform for brands of all sizes, Shopify is strategically positioned to deliver advanced, unified commerce solutions that support DEPT’s clients in expanding their global reach.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Dimitriou, chief client and growth officer at DEPT, commented, “This partnership unlocks possibilities to deliver unparalleled value to our clients. By integrating our commerce capabilities with Shopify’s scalable platform, we’re equipping brands to tackle the complexities of multi-brand, multi-market, and multi-channel engagement. Together, we’re not just providing tools but creating tailored commerce solutions that empower businesses and drive growth for ambitious brands.”

Australia – Ancestry, a family history company, has announced its partnership with Ampol State of Origin 2024 through an initiative titled “Discover Your Origin.” Said collaboration is a strategic push to which Ancestry not only dives into the deep roots of Australian rugby league players this season but also highlights its slate of DNA product offerings. 

The ad, developed in collaboration with partner agency DEPT®, ties DNA testing to the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) fan base and highlights its potential. Ancestry seeks to reveal the origins of the athletes’ DNA, along with some traits, by means of captivating social media content and exclusive access to talent, such as State of Origin players Ben Hunt and Tom Trbojevic. This will be demonstrated through material, demonstrating how ancestral discovery can speak to any kind of audience and encourage viewers to go out and explore on their own. 

The idea originated with Michel Gondry’s music videos for acts like Daft Punk and The White Stripes, which feature backward-moving time sequences that give his films an otherworldly and enthralling feel. AI-enhanced images, such as an 80s-style lounge space where the past and present collide, are used in the ad. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) was used by DEPT® and Ancestry to improve production efficiency. In addition to giving frames more dimension, AI made voice-over recording easier by producing a variety of options that guaranteed a flawless alignment between sounds, images, and brand identity. 

The ad is currently running and will be promoted on all platforms, including social media, TV, and VOD. Publicis Sport & Entertainment oversaw the collaboration, with DEPT® Australia handling creative creation and Spark Foundry Australia handling media strategy.

James Walmsley, head of marketing Australia and New Zealand at Ancestry, said, “DEPT really took on the challenge of embracing heritage but powering it with innovation. The use of AI to create the imagery and voice-over in this campaign was a great example of how to use this technology in a way that enhances creativity. We couldn’t be more happy with the collaboration with DEPT and their innovative spirit.” 

Meanwhile, Brad Stevens, executive creative director at DEPT®, said, “What I love about DEPT® is our constant pursuit of new ways to solve our clients’ problems. With this particular brief, we were lucky to have an ambitious client willing to embrace technology to tackle the challenge: connecting the past to the future, and doing it in a very short turnaround.” 

Mumbai, India – Global digital agency DEPT® has been named Adobe’s Digital Partner of the Year in India, during the Best of Adobe Summit event held this week in Mumbai. This recognition acknowledges DEPT®’s deep expertise and nearly two decades of successful Adobe solution implementations. 

The 2024 Adobe Digital Experience Partner Awards were announced during the event, recognising alliance partners who have made substantial contributions to joint customer success, demonstrated proficiency in Adobe technology, and have continued to expand their Adobe practices in the Indian market.

“This recognition shows the continuous commitment our teams have to our Adobe partnership, which is nearly two decades strong. Adobe products allow us to design tailored digital experiences that elevate our clients’ engagement and success, helping them stay ahead”, said Yash Mody, Global CTO DEPT® Adobe Practice

DEPT® has continuously invested in its Adobe expertise, currently boosting a team of over 550 experts, and over 120 certified experts, helping deliver hundreds of projects across the entire Adobe ecosystem from Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Platform and beyond. The agency had previously been recognised as Adobe’s Solution Partner of the Year for APAC in 2019, 2021, and 2022. 

DEPT®’s experience engineering approach—combined with the agency’s unique 50/50 split between tech and marketing—has helped clients such as HDFC Bank, Moody’s, HSBC, Tata Capital, Bajaj Allianz, Samsung, smart, and Tata AIA realise faster time-to-market and deliver hyper-personalised experiences across channels.

Melbourne, Australia – Digital agency DEPT Australia has recently announced a significant partnership with Towcha, an Indigenous-owned technology consultancy. This collaboration presents exciting opportunities for both companies while creating a lasting impact.

This partnership with DEPT Australia greatly supports Towcha Technologies’ mission to foster innovation and technological expertise within the indigenous community.

Through this initiative, Towcha provides technology strategy, application development, and support to Australian corporate and government organisations. Towcha’s commitment to innovation and technology is evident through its work for clients like AWS, Coles, and Wesfarmers.

With this in mind, one of the core aspects of this partnership is uplifting the Indigenous community’s tech capabilities, including Cloud Engineering capabilities, system architecture, AI and web and mobile development. 

DEPT and Towcha share a vision for technological excellence and a deep commitment to lifelong learning embodying a collective dedication to nurturing talent and fostering innovation within the Indigenous community. As they embark on this exciting journey together, both organisations look forward to the positive change they can bring to the Australian technology landscape.

Talking about the partnership, Evan Davey, VP growth APAC at DEPT, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Towcha and look forward to a fruitful partnership, one that fosters growth, diversity, and technological empowerment. We’ve collaborated with the Towcha team on previous engagements and were blown away by their expertise and dedication.”

Meanwhile, Alan Holmes, managing director and founder at Towcha, commented, “We can’t wait to see this partnership reach the next level. Creating a sustainable inclusive economy in Australia entails mentoring and elevating Indigenous talent. We’re excited to bring that vision to life with the DEPT team. We’re ready to roll!”

Sydney, Australia – Digital agency DEPT has partnered with SXSW Sydney for the launch of its DEPT Garden House event after its announcement to unite its Australia teams under one brand to elevate clients’ digital experiences.

The new announcements from DEPT come as it continues to expand its presence in Australia.

DEPT will bring together digital product studio Two Bulls and digital marketing team FEED under one brand to bring its disruptive, forward-thinking solutions to new and existing clients, which include eBay, Ancestry, Beyond Blue, Service Victoria, and Meta.

With the union of these teams, the agency aims to deliver pioneering digital experiences for clients, supporting them across the full digital customer journey.

To celebrate this milestone, DEPT Australia has also partnered with the inaugural SXSW Sydney to launch DEPT Garden House, a three-day action-packed activation that will spotlight daily talks and panel discussions from influential industry experts.

The three-day activation event will be held at The Chinese Garden of Friendship and will feature speakers from Canva, Kayo Sports, and B Lab. The programme lineup will touch upon topical industry discussions ranging from pioneering meaningful social impact to building cultural credibility through content.

SXSW attendees will be able to access DEPT Garden House by signing up for a wristband on the official event website.

Eva Kane, head of marketing for APAC at DEPT, said, “We are very excited to partner with SXSW Sydney to launch DEPT® Garden House, a vibrant space for industry friends to connect and learn. SXSW is without a doubt the most anticipated event of the year, and our partnership is also a way of celebrating not only the successes of DEPT® Australia but also the wider industry.”

Sydney, Australia – DEPT has appointed a raft of new hires including four executives in specialist roles as part of its strategy to expand its offering. The new appointments will support the transformation into a full-service offering for the global digital agency in Australia. The Sydney team will be working on key clients including eBay, Ancestry, and Twitch, as well as continuing its growth across the region with the Melbourne-based Two Bulls/DEPT®

Two Bulls/DEPT®, a digital product studio based in Melbourne, joined the global digital agency in September last year. With clients including Beyond Blue, Service Victoria, Hasbro and MailChimp, Two Bulls/DEPT® specialises in solving complex challenges with simple digital solutions by converging innovative engineering, creative perspective and thoughtful design.

Joining the company are Antonio Castiglia as strategy director, Sam McGraw as account director, Michelle Krikowam as social media manager, and Michelle Ramsay as senior copywriter.

Castigilia joins after strategy consulting gigs with global luxury media company Highsnobiety and DDB, bringing his knowledge of the content and brand space to build a new strategy offering for DEPT®. Meanwhile, McGraw brings over ten years of account management and business development experience working with some of Australia’s most well-known brands, most recently CommBank, where he helped build the account service offerings within the bank’s internal creative team.

Krikowam joins with a diverse range of experience across the gaming space and will be working on the DEPT® social offering as the team’s first social media manager on the newly won Twitch ANZ project. Ramsay, on the other hand, has worked with top brands and agencies, such as the Nine Network, Beyond Productions, Film Australia and most recently with Resolution Digital, part of the Omnicom Media Group. She joins the team specialising in eBay Seller Communications, writing content that resonates with sellers. 

“It’s been an exciting journey for the Sydney team ever since joining DEPT® in 2022. We’ve gone from a small in-house digital team, specialising in personalised content, to a pioneering full-service digital agency, resourcing up to bring the DEPT® ambition to life in Sydney. These hires, combined with the TwoBulls/DEPT® team in Melbourne, allow us to offer end-to-end digital solutions. Watch this space, it’s only the beginning,” says Jessica White, DEPT® Sydney General Manager. 

“We’re very excited to see the Sydney DEPT® team growing at this pace,” says James Kane, CEO of Two Bulls/DEPT®. “Bolstering our creative strength on top of our already very strong digital product expertise ensures a powerful offer for brands in Australia and beyond.”

Since launching in APAC in Dec 2021, DEPT® now has over 700 employees across Melbourne, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore, and Manila.

Singapore Global digital agency DEPT has appointed Diphaa Nair as its director of strategic alliances for APAC. As part of her remit, Nair will be working closely with India-based Tekno Point/DEPT team to expand the agency’s Adobe Practice globally. 

Nair comes from a strong technology background and was more recently with Adobe where she spent more than six years as the head of partners for South Asia. Prior to this, she worked with CA Technologies as a channel director and spent four years with MphasiS, an HP company.

Based out of Melbourne, she will report jointly to Vishnu Mohan, partner and chief growth officer at DEPT APAC and Evan Davey, founding partner of Two Bulls/DEPT to drive the commercial development across its set of offerings both in Australia as well as other parts of APAC region.

Commenting on her appointment, Nair said, “I am happy to join DEPT with its pioneering spirit and boutique culture. Both Two Bulls/DEPT and Tekno Point/DEPT have exciting, cutting-edge offerings with great potential in the industry. I look forward to working with Vishnu, James, Evan and the Tekno Point/DEPT leadership team to manage their Strategic Alliance proposition in APAC.”

Mohan also commented, stating, “Diphaa is joining the team at exactly the right time as we’re growing the APAC region and its full-service offering.”

He also added that Nair’s over two decades of experience in digital technologies, customer experience, and business transformation will help the company provide the tools businesses need to deliver pioneering digital solutions.

The appointment follows DEPT’s recent acquisition of the 500-strong Adobe DX specialist firm Tekno Point.

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Global digital agency DEPT has launched DEPT®/AI, its new AI-focused practice that aims to help brands solve complex challenges and increase productivity through turnkey AI solutions and innovative creative experiences.

With a multidisciplinary team of over 400 specialists on five continents, DEPT®/AI enabled 30% of the agency’s revenue in 2022 and boasts a client portfolio that includes Philips, Google, and eBay.

“AI is unlocking limitless possibilities and potential for brands,” said Isabel Perry, VP of Emerging Technology at DEPT. She also explained that one of the main reasons for the launch is that DEPT’s clients are eager to leverage AI but are often daunted by the complex questions surrounding design, ethics, and operations.

“We give them an experienced AI implementation partner to capitalise on today’s opportunities, in a way that goes beyond the hype and makes sense for their business,” she added.

Dimi Albers, global CEO at DEPT also said, “We’ve been pioneering AI technology for over six years, helping brands like Just Eat Takeaway to deliver personalisation at scale, and Philips to analyse its data more effectively. We’ll continue to push the potential of AI, and believe it will power 80% of what we do as a marketing and technology services provider.”

The launch follows DEPT’s AI initiatives such as the AI-powered docking station to steer cargo ships, a machine learning hand tracking system to teach the American Sign Language alphabet, and the generative AI collectible cards for eBay’s MCM Comic Con campaign.

Last December, DEPT also launched a 300-person team called WEB3/DEPT to aid clients in experimenting with blockchain technology and building immersive experiences in the metaverse.