Timeline: How Accenture Interactive Grew to a $10 Billion Behemoth Under CEO Brian Whipple

When Brian Whipple took the reins as CEO of Accenture Interactive, his goal was to bring the fledgling digital consultancy into the agency space, specifically where marketing meets technology. As he prepares to step down from his post after a decade, Whipple leaves behind a company that has grown into a $10 billion powerhouse, changing the industry's landscape through its numerous acquisitions. Under Whipple's leadership, Accenture Interactive has become a disruptive force in the industry by creating a new experience agency service model, combining the capabilities of a creative agency, business consultancy and technology company. Earnings for the company thrived under Whipple. In recent years, Accenture Interactive has reported the highest worldwide revenue of any digital agency network, at more than $10.6 billion for its 2020 fiscal year, reflecting 3.5% annual growth even amid a global pandemic. Accenture Interactive has become especially known for its acquisitions of marketing and creative agencies. The consultancy has bought numerous agencies and companies over the years, most notably Droga5 in 2019. That high-profile acquisition included bringing on respected creative guru David Droga, who will now take over from Whipple as CEO of Accenture Interactive. David Droga Named Accenture Interactive CEO and Creative Chair, Succeeding Brian Whipple “I was interested in growing a scalable business in the billions, not in the millions,” Whipple told Adweek in 2018. “Brian Whipple’s legacy is growing Accenture Interactive into the largest global digital marketing services company and creating the category of experience agency, focused on the implementation of CX, mar tech, marketing automation, content management and commerce,” Jay Pattisall, principal analyst at Forrester, told Adweek. But Pattisall isn't concerned about Accenture Interactive's prospects under its new leadership. “As the next wave of digital transformation gears up, Accenture Interactive will need to build off of its tech enablement heritage to provide unique and bespoke marketing experiences that distinguish brands from digital sameness. David Droga is just the sort of creative leader to help propel creativity throughout their organization and into their execution. Droga’s rise in Accenture is very much a signal of the importance of creativity in both marketing and business.” Here's a brief timeline of Whipple’s tenure at Accenture Interactive and its evolution into a potent force within the agency world: 1987 Whipple becomes a consultant at Arthur Andersen. He spends 10 years with the company, honing his strategy and consulting skills. 1989 Andersen Consulting spins off from Arthur Andersen, eventually resulting in an acrimonious rift over shared revenue. 1998 Having left Accenture after a decade, Whipple becomes a senior vice president for New York agency Rapp. 2001 Andersen Consulting officially splits from sibling Arthur Andersen and rebrands as Accenture, created from the phrase "accent on the future." Its initial public offering that July generated nearly $1.7 billion within one day. 2003 Whipple becomes chief operating officer of Boston-based agency Hill Holliday. 2009 Accenture launches Accenture Interactive, the consultancy's digital marketing division. 2010 Whipple returns to Accenture Interactive as CEO. 2013 Accenture Interactive acquires design consultancy Fjord and Chicago-based ecommerce company Acquity Group. 2015 Accenture Interactive goes on an acquisition spree, buying up Brazilian digital company AD.Dialieto, Texas tech studio Chaotic Moon, Hong Kong digital agency group PacificLink Group, Swedish digital consultancy Brightstep, and Australian digital marketing agency Reactive Media. 2016 Accenture Interactive acquires London creative agency Karmarama and Japanese digital agency IMJ. That year, Subway jump-started its corporate “imperative” by hiring Accenture Interactive to strategize, build and execute its digital ambitions. 2017 Accenture Interactive acquires U.S. agency Wire Stone, digital optimization company Clearhead, ecommerce solution provider Media Hive, digital agency SinnerSchrader, communications agency Kunstmaan, Boston digital company Intrepid, Australian creative agencies The Monkeys and Maud, San Francisco design firm Matter, and French digital commerce agency Altima. 2018 Accenture Interactive acquires Irish creative agency Rothco, New York digital agency MXM, Shanghai digital marketing agency HO Communications, Stockholm customer relationship management firm Kaplan, German digital agency Kolle Rebbe, Brazilian marketing agency New Content, and New York ad-tech company Adaptly. 2019 Accenture Interactive makes its largest acquisition ever by taking ownership of celebrated creative agency Droga5. Terms of the deal are undisclosed but include buying out Endeavor's 49% ownership stake in Droga5, becoming its sole owner. The consultancy also acquires London consultancy Bow & Arrow, design innovation firm Insitum, Spanish agency Shackleton, Danish agency Hjaltelin Stahl, and Dutch agency Storm Digital. Global revenue for Accenture Interactive surpasses $10 billion in the 2019 fiscal year, reflecting a year-over-year growth of about 18%. May 2021 Droga5 announces plans for global expansion, initially with an office in Tokyo. The agency, whose only active office outside the U.S. had been Droga5 London, says it also has plans for offices in Brazil and China. June 2021 Accenture Interactive buys agency Entropia, with offices in Malaysia and Singapore—its first acquisition in Southeast Asia. July 2021 Openmind, an Italian commerce consultancy, is acquired by Accenture Interactive. August 2021 Accenture Interactive announces that Brian Whipple will be leaving the company, with David Droga tapped to replace Whipple as CEO and also to serve as creative chairman. How Accenture Interactive's European President Aims to Take on the Next Digital Era