• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, May 16, 2007

Leaving no part of the world untouched, Aegis Group has extended its global network into South Africa with the acquisition of Trigger Communications Consulting. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Trigger, a South African-based digital direct marketing company, will become part of Isobar, Aegis' digital network which previously maintained a presence in 37 of the world's 40 central economies.

"This makes 38 for us," said Sarah Fay, U.S. president of Isobar. "It's all part of our strategy to be able to carry out truly global campaigns--that's where we feel we have a unique selling proposition."

Existing Isobar clients who will likely take advantage of the agency's new South African connection include GM, 20th Century Fox, Coca-Cola, and Adidas, according to Fay.

Along with location, Trigger is "really well suited for viral and word-of-mouth campaigns," Fay added.

Before this transaction, Aegis' most recent global expansion was its February acquisition of AgenciaClick, a Brazilian full-service digital agency, for $31.1 million in cash.

Isobar, which has performed superbly of late, is largely credited with driving Aegis Media's revenue up 10.3% in 2006. Indeed, Aegis said 20% of its total revenues came from digital media last year, up from 15% in 2005.

Aegis' Isobar is certainly not the only agency trying to attract clients with global reach.

Avenue A|Razorfish, a unit of aQuantive, has grown its international digital marketing family, which now includes offices across the U.S. as well as in Paris, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.

In addition, Omnicom's Agency.com now boasts 10 offices globally, up from six last year.