US-based Qliktag acquires digital agency Buzzfactory

The California-based Qliktag Software, a mobile technology company, has acquired Buzzfactory Interactive, a social media and digital agency based in Pune. Qliktag Software had initially made an early angel investment in Buzzfactory in January 2013 and had a minority stake in the company.

Buzzfactory was founded as a startup in 2009 by Neil Sequeira and has evolved over the years into a 360-degree social media and digital agency with expertise in content strategy, communication, social media and digital.

"Having worked with Qliktag Software for some time now, I believe that the technology platform they have been working on - clubbed with the services capabilities Buzzfactory has built - will drive us through a more exciting future," says Sequeira founder and CEO, Buzzfactory.

According to Sequeira, the acquisition will help Buzzfactory expand its existing services into the US and global markets through developing a stronger presence there and introduce Qliktag's technology to Asia and India where the mobile equipped consumer base is large and more businesses are looking for innovative ways to capture their attention and engage them.

Buzzfactory will continue to be headed by Sequeira who will assume the role of CEO along with core team members, which will be joined by Jeff Ballard who comes in as head of North American Operations. Says Dilip Daswani, CEO, Qliktag Software, "We see good potential for expanding what Buzzfactory has been doing with helping businesses get things right through this digital era and combining the teams, capabilities and business was seen as the best way to move ahead."

The acquisition will be followed by an expansion of the team both on the digital marketing services front and product development and technology as well as plans to promote Qliktag's mobile merchandising and engagement technology within India and developing the North American client base for Buzzfactory's solutions.