• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, June 2, 2015

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. of Japan, through its operating unit kyu, has acquired Digital Kitchen, a creative content agency with offices in Seattle, Chicago and Los Angeles. Terms weren’t disclosed.  

Founded 20 years ago, Digital Kitchen’s current management team of Chairman Paul Matthaeus, President Don McNeill and CEO Bill Fritsch will remain in place.  The shop has won numerous industry awards, from Cannes Lions to Emmys.

Digital Kitchen joins SYPartners and Red Peak Group (Red Peak Branding, RPMC) in kyu, a portfolio of marketing services companies created in May 2014. Hakuhodo hired former Omnicom Vice Chairman Michael Birkin to run the operation as CEO. Birkin is also founder of Red Peak Group.

“We have admired Digital Kitchen for some time,” said Birkin. “They have created a unique offer. They combine the roles of strategic advisors and content makers in the way they build brands for their clients. This ability comes from their heritage and experience in both entertainment and content marketing.” 

Digital Kitchen has worked with clients such as AT&T, HBO, Netflix, Microsoft and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The agency operates an in-house facility, DK Studios, that works directly with advertising agency and entertainment clients. The shop also houses a design firm Methodologie, acquired in 2014, which specializes in strategic design and corporate communications. 

Commenting on the acquisition, Matthaeus said, “We were founded on the firm belief that the greatest leverage in communications is the ability to connect emotionally. HDY’s philosophy of sei-katsu-sha – creating for the ‘living person’ – truly matches that. Michael’s plan to create a collective of carefully selected companies with global reach, allows us to grow faster while preserving Digital Kitchen’s unique culture.”