ICOM, one of the largest networks of independent agencies globally, has expanded its presence in Portugal with the addition of Wise Pirates, an agency with a focus on customer experience and digital marketing solutions. Alongside Mosca Publicidade, Wise Pirates is the second Portuguese marketing agency to join ICOM, and a welcome addition to the network.
Emma Keenan, ICOM’S Executive Director, says:
“From the moment I met Pedro, I was struck by his vision for Wise Pirates and the impressive growth he had already achieved. We are always looking to expand our network capabilities, and Wise Pirates’ expertise in digital and tech immediately piqued my interest. When Pedro attended our EMEA meeting in Tallinn, Estonia last October, it felt like the perfect fit. It was as if he had been a part of our network for years. We’re excited about this partnership and look forward to a prosperous future together.”
Wise Pirates, founded in 2017, has been instrumental in creating valuable experiences for over 500 brands across a variety of industries, focusing on data-driven results for both large and small enterprises. Based in Porto and Braga, Wise Pirates is a 100+ person strong agency that specializes in designing customer experiences via business and tech solutions. They are also currently spearheading several R&D projects in AI, data feed management, and training in partnership with universities and innovation centers in Portugal.
Some of their most recent projects include the development of a business intelligence data feed management system in collaboration with e-commerce and retail partners and Google Advanced.
Additionally, Pedro Barbosa, the CEO of Wise Pirates, has been invaluable in developing the first European framework to integrate generative AI capabilities with creative teams. Wise Pirates’ forward-thinking approach to technology and incredible forethought is an asset to their business, and we look forward to seeing more of that business acumen brought into the ICOM network.
Along with several other ICOM agencies, Pedro has also been actively involved in our dedicated ICOM AI Group, setting up a separate R&D team to explore how AI is being used in, and impacting, agency operations across the network. This Group works to understand the impact and utilization of AI across our network, pooling expertise to help further resources and knowledge regarding.
When asked about Wise Pirates’ membership into ICOM, Pedro Barbosa, CEO, stated:
‘’Forming a part of ICOM reinforces two of our goals for this year as a company. First of all, our commitment as an agency that is part of a broader ecosystem to share our know-how, create synergies and contribute to the growth of other companies, whether they are companies, competition, or learning institutions. And secondly, our ambition to grow internationally and find bigger challenges around European companies - and we believe that the right way to do it is through international partnerships like this one.’’
ICOM’s continuous growth provides an opportunity for agencies across the world to learn from and interact with like-minded thought-leaders and develop non-competitive relationships for the benefit of both their agency and the network’s ongoing expansion. Membership in ICOM provides marketing agencies with the opportunity to connect with and be inspired by similar member agencies, giving them access to a shared international pool of resources and knowledge. Agencies who are accepted into ICOM are carefully selected with the end goal of creating a value-based, philosophical network driven by shared goals.
ABOUT ICOM
ICOM is among the world’s largest and most geographically diverse networks of independent advertising and marketing communications agencies, with 80-plus member agencies in 60-plus countries. Annual gross income exceeds US$500 million.
ABOUT Wise Pirates
Wise Pirates is a digital business partner that works with large and small companies across different industries, such as Retail, Healthcare, Beauty, F&B, Tourism, Industry, Finance, Entertainment, and D2C brands, mashing consultancy with making it happen operations provided by an expert team of over 100 people.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Emma Keenan, ICOM executive director
[email protected], +33-66-348-0137
Fanny Miriel, ICOM Communications
[email protected], +356-99-78-56-71