Jack Lonergan, Clive Dickens and Mel Lee. Credit: Meliora
Advisory firm Meliora has acquired Auckland digital agency Backchat Media, handing founder Mel Lee an equity partnership and giving the company its first New Zealand foothold.
Founded in 2015, Backchat has worked with Seven West Media, Singtel Optus, Mediaworks NZ, the New Zealand Government, Les Mills International and NBC Universal.
Meliora founder Clive Dickens said the deal added capability across APAC.
"Meliora was built to help ambitious companies navigate the intersection of AI technology, creativity and human intelligence," Dickens said.
"Mel has built a fantastic business with Backchat, and bringing that strategy and digital performance capability into Meliora further strengthens what we can offer clients across APAC and beyond."
Lee joins Meliora's existing hubs in Sydney, Los Angeles and London.
Lee said Backchat had built its reputation helping organisations navigate digital change.
"Backchat has always focused on helping brands and organisations navigate the fast-moving digital landscape with smart strategy, strong storytelling and measurable outcomes," Lee said.
"Joining Meliora allows us to scale that philosophy with an international team that sits at the intersection of technology, creativity and product thinking.
“I'm incredibly excited to become a partner in Meliora and help establish its presence in New Zealand while bringing our digital and digital performance capabilities into the wider Meliora offering."
The acquisition follows Meliora's launch of its Ventures Fund One, an AI-focused fund targeting CTO-led startups. Portfolio companies include IV.AI, Relevance AI, Source, Springboards.AI and StoryDesk.AI.
Strategic advisors include Shazam co-founder Chris Barton and former Singtel Optus and Seven West Media executive William Hedberg.
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