Altima, an e-commerce-focused interactive agency established in France in 1998, is strengthening its presence in China and making its first steps on the Russian market through the acquisition of THEM, an independent agency operating in Beijing, Shanghai, and Moscow.
In addition to serving local clients, Altima will help companies launch their digital and e-commerce activity across the markets of France, China, and Russia. Such ambitions require particular expertise due to the specificities of each market. While Google dominates in France, Baidu has 78% of the Chinese market, and Yandex holds 62% of the Russian market, Altima notes.
“Some of our clients, such as Groupama or Decathlon, are already present in [Russia and China], and we will provide our assistance in their international deployment,” said Altima’s President Arnaud Monnier.
THEM launched in Russia only last September and now has two employees, co-founder Euryale Chatelard told East-West Digital News. The agency is growing fast, however, and already serves several important clients including 3suisses.ru, cross border e-commerce operator Taoboom.com, and the Russia edition of Aujourd’hui Le Monde.
In exchange for a majority stake in their company, Altima has offered THEM’s founders, Hacene Taibi and Eric Morelle in China as well as Chatelard in Russia, an undisclosed amount in cash and shares.
Altima generated 19 million in revenues last year with 220 employees in Paris, Lyon, and Lille. The Chinese branch of THEM has 35 employees.
