Paris, March 2024 –
YKONE, leading international influencer marketing agency, announces the acquisition of 70% of the Indian agency Barcode, a content & influencer marketing agency. With this strategic move and by combining the strengths of both companies, YKONE has positioned itself as a worldwide leader in Influencer Marketing with a turnover of close to $100 million
Founded in 2008, YKONE first launched with their headquarters in Paris and is now implanted in 18 of the world’s most important cities, from Hong Kong to Dubai to Milan. Over the past decade, the agency has established itself as the international leader in influencer marketing, pioneering the industry and pursuing increasingly ambitious campaigns for brands in the luxury, beauty, fashion and travel sectors, and more recently in the FMCG market.
Hugo Boss, Chopard, Prada, Estee Lauder, Ferragamo, Nespresso are amongst the 100+ iconic brands that trust YKONE to connect with their audience through impactful stories and content on social media. YKONE offers all-encompassing influencer marketing and social media solutions to provide a seamless experience to their clients.
YKONE’s acquisition of Barcode is a strategic move that aligns with the growing opportunities in the Indian influencer market. India’s luxury market is expected to be one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. A Bain & Co report even suggests that by 2030, the luxury market in India could reach a staggering $200 billion. With India’s massive social media audience of over 500 million people, the acquisition creates a platform for brands and creators to be part of the next big global journey. The talent management branch of Barcode, known as “CLICK MEDIA,” represents more than 20 famous Indian influencers & actors such as Rohit Zinjurke (27 million followers) and Kashika Kapoor (15 million followers). This adds significant value to YKONE’s portfolio and enhances their ability to connect brands with high-profile influencers in the Indian market. YKONE’s decision to remain independent and carve its own path in the influencer marketing and social media industry sets it apart from social media marketing agencies that are often absorbed by larger advertising groups. By staying independent, YKONE can maintain its agility, focus on innovation, and establish itself as a worldwide leader in the field. The acquisition of Barcode further strengthens YKONE’s position, with a turnover of $100 million and a workforce of over 300 employees. This consolidation of resources and expertise positions YKONE for continued growth and success in the influencer marketing and social media worldwide landscape.
Olivier Billon, Founder and CEO of YKONE, stated: “The acquisition of Barcode Agency is a significant step for YKONE and its international expansion. YKONE already had a presence in India with an office in Bangalore since 2017. With the addition of Barcode’s operations in India, YKONE’s reach in the country and the broader Asia-Pacific region expands even further.”
Rahul Khanna, Barcode’s CEO, stated: “We express our heartfelt appreciation to our customers
and collaborators in India. This acquisition empowers us to provide worldwide services to our Indian
clientele while simultaneously promoting India’s unique narrative globally. We are very proud to join
forces YKONE’s talented teams. My ambition with Olivier is to achieve worldwide supremacy in the
field of Influencer Marketing.” With this move both YKONE and Barcode can leverage their respective strengths, resources, and expertise to seize new business opportunities and adapt to the evolving developments in the international influencer marketing landscape.
Rahul Khanna, Barcode’s CEO, stated:
“We express our heartfelt appreciation to our customers and collaborators in India. This acquisition empowers us to provide worldwide services to our Indian clientele while simultaneously promoting India’s unique narrative globally. We are very proud to join forces YKONE’s talented teams. My ambition with Olivier is to achieve worldwide supremacy in the
field of Influencer Marketing.”
With this move both YKONE and Barcode can leverage their respective strengths, resources, and expertise to seize new business opportunities and adapt to the evolving developments in the international influencer marketing landscape.
Founded in 2008 bu Olivier Billon, YKONE is the leading international Influencer Marketing agency, dedicated exclusively to global brands in the luxury, beauty, fashion, travel and lifestyle industries since 2008. With a presence in 18 major cities across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States, YKONE boasts a cohesive team of over 155 professionals worldwide. From Paris to Las Vegas, Milan to Dubai, and Hong Kong to Singapore, the agency’s network of influencer marketing experts extends globally, achieving $84M in revenue in 2023.
As pioneers in the influencer marketing industry, YKONE excels in combining strategic planning, data-driven insights, and tailor-made creative solutions to vividly bring brand narratives to life. The agency collaborates with a diverse group of highly creative individuals to conceptualize, produce, and broadcast unique brand content from inception to execution.
Beyond bespoke content creation, YKONE has developed proprietary digital tools, such as Campaygn, an advanced influencer analytics platform and database. This tool is instrumental in monitoring, measuring, and tracking influencer marketing investments.
Today, YKONE offers a comprehensive 360° approach to influencer marketing, made possible by its exceptional ability to integrate influencers across all brand touchpoints.
Founded in 2019 by Rahul Khanna, Barcode has quickly become a trailblazer in the influencer marketing sphere. The Barcode team of content marketing specialists identified a unique opportunity in the influencer-dominated social ecosystem, focusing on leveraging both Micro and Macro niches. Today, Barcode proudly stands with over 150 employees, operates out of 3 offices, and is home to award-winning marketers, setting a gold standard for influencer marketing success in India.
Barcode is the go-to agency for the top 100 prestigious brands in India, including giants like YouTube, Unilever, Amazon, Sharechat, Flipkart, Myntra, Tira, Warner Music, Budweiser, MG Motors, Glance, and more. This has led to an impressive portfolio of over 40,000 brand collaborations and unique partnerships with a staggering network of 350,000+ influencers.
Recognized as the Influencer Marketing Agency of the Year 2022 – Large, Barcode now stands at the forefront of influencer marketing innovation. With its sights set on international expansion, Barcode is poised for continued growth on its upward trajectory.
For more information, visit www.barcodeent.com
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