Acceleration, GroupM’s data and technology consulting unit, launches in Africa
Acceleration powers increased media performance and sustainable growth for forward-thinking marketers
Johannesburg, 23 March 2023 – Acceleration, WPP’s data and technology consultancy operated by GroupM, announced the launch of its operations in Sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring technology, data and media investments produce a long-term competitive advantage for businesses across the region.
As part of the world’s largest Global Media network, Acceleration gives brands access to more than 6,500 technology and data consultants, connecting data and technology investments to business results, while helping them stay at the forefront of innovation.
Nick Jackson, Acceleration SSA Managing Director says, “The power of data and technology in delivering value in Africa is remarkable. This, not only for business but for our stature as a player in the global economy. Always-on transformation is rapidly accelerating the role technology is playing in driving consumer value, enabling the next biggest population of active network participation, globally. Acceleration’s responsibility lies at the intersection of this value. Through our fantastic network of GroupM and WPP Partners, Google technologists and clients – we’re embracing a responsibility in catalysing value across the continent – fundamentally changing the role Africa plays in a global network economy. I’m privileged and incredibly excited to play a part in this ambition.”
Acceleration powers increased media performance and sustainable growth for forward-thinking marketers. It enables the always-on transformation of marketing organisations, co-creating solutions that unlock the value of data, technology, and human potential through deep expertise in strategy and transformation, data science and automation, technology and data architecture, measurement, and advanced analytics.
“Acceleration brings to our Clients in Sub-Saharan Africa the Data and Consulting expertise to power increased media performance and sustainable growth. In a rapidly changing and growing environment we are prepared to adapt, experiment with new ideas and foster a culture of always-on transformation, to generate short-term results and long-term value,” says Federico De Nardis, GroupM Sub-Saharan Africa CEO.
According to Grant Keller, Acceleration Global CEO, “Since joining GroupM, Acceleration has grown from strength to strength, rapidly expanding across Europe, and North America and now operating in 14 markets. With the expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, we continue to build momentum, and add to our network the expertise of Nick and his talented team of consultants, helping more clients grow their business results through an always-on-transformation of their media capabilities. I am excited about the opportunity to deliver sustainable growth for our clients in the region through data and technology consulting solutions.”
Acceleration leverages the full power of the Google Marketing Platform and Google Cloud Platforms, as a Google Marketing Platform Certified Company and Sales Partner. It is also a Google Premier Partner, a distinction only attained by the top 3% of participating companies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nicole Boritz, Google Head of Global Partnerships says, “I’m delighted to see Acceleration continuing its successful global expansion with the launch in Africa. The continued collaboration with Acceleration has seen them delivering 78% of all WPP tech maturity projects, making them a key strategic partner for Google. I am looking forward to working together with Acceleration global and local teams to further strengthen our collaboration in the market.”
Today, thriving businesses need agile tools and tested methodologies to constantly adapt to change as it happens. Acceleration SSA brings in best-in-class global expertise to drive local talent across a broad spectrum of capabilities, working with clients to leverage and strengthen their teams’ capabilities over time, thereby enabling them to reach both short-term and long-term goals.