• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, August 7, 2017

Global digital agency CI&T is acquiring Comrade, a strategy and customer experience design agency in the San Francisco Bay Area. Terms weren’t disclosed. 

CI&T, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is acquiring Comrade as part of an ambitious growth plan (it’s posted 30% organic revenue growth in recent years) that includes expanding its U.S. footprint. The acquisition also combines CI&T’s digital transformation expertise with Comrade’s strategy and design know-how. 

Comrade has clients in the technology, healthcare, and financial services sectors including Chase, BlackRock, and Bank of the West.  

CI&T, established 20 years ago, is the biggest tech agency in Brazil and now has 2,500 staffers  worldwide. In addition to Brazil it has operations in the U.S., UK, Australia, Japan and China. It counts on its client roster such blue-chip brands as Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, AB-InBev, Itau Bank and Motorola. 

Bruno Guicardi, President and Co-founder, CI&T. cited Comrade’s “deep ties with Silicon Valley” which he said was “an important factor for enterprises seeking digital transformation. “  And Comrade’s  “expertise in working with the U.S. financial services sector offers new and exciting opportunities for future growth.” 

“Clients need one partner they can trust for strategy, design and technology,” added Thelton McMillian, who founded Comrade in 2006 and serves as the firm’s CEO. “Together we can deliver speed at scale for ­organizations who need to go faster while delivering high-quality products and experiences.”

As a CI&T company Comrade will retain its brand and continue operating as a strategy and design agency serving global clients.