• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, August 27, 2015

Digital shop Essence has been selected by Intuit Inc., the U.S. business software provider as global digital AOR for their small business group, including the QuickBooks Ecosystem of offerings. 

Intuit spent $133 million on ads in the U.S. last year according to Kantar Media. It wasn’t immediately clear what portion of the budget is allocated to the small business group. 

The assignment tasks Essence with driving the company’s programmatic ad buying, digital strategy, analytics and other biddable channels that aren’t bought through a demand-side platform (DSP).  

“As we continue to grow our QuickBooks brand, it’s critical that we create a meaningful and relevant digital experience,” said Kimberley Schick, Digital Marketing Director of Small Business Group - Quickbooks at Intuit.  “Essence is the perfect partner to help us become even more relevant to small business owners and accountants, and remain at the forefront of the digital ecosystem, across all channels.” 

Added Christian Juhl, global CEO of Essence:  “We look at digital holistically, a perspective Intuit has long demonstrated via their robust in-house efforts.  We’re confident that this outlook, coupled with our commitment to media transparency, will break new ground for Intuit and consumers alike.” 

It's been a good week for the agency on the new business front. Earlier, financial services giant Visa selected the shop to support its programmatic efforts on a project and regional basis.

Essence, with nearly 500 employees, manages over $700 million in media spend and deploys campaigns in 71 markets via offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore and Tokyo.