Draftfcb has just announced it has acquired award-winning digital agency, Hellocomputer. Besides the little known fact that Hellocomputer designed the main 2oceansvibe logo, did you know that The Dirty Skirts’ guitarist, and avid 2oceansViber, David Moffatt, is Hellocomputer’s Managing Director?

Dave would have been chuffed when the Skirts walked away with the “Best Alternative Album” at this year’s SAMA’s.

He would have been equally happy when Hellocomputer emerged as the undisputed creative leader in the digital arena at the 2011 Loerie Awards when the agency won the coveted Grand Prix for its ground-breaking work in the Interactive Tools and Applications category.

But life just got even better for Dave, because one of the world’s largest communications agency networks, Draftfcb, has snapped up and rebranded its own digital arm as Hellocomputer.

Have a read of the exciting times that lie ahead for Hellocomputer:

With immediate effect, the agency group’s own digital arm, Mesh Interactive, will be rebranded as Hellocomputer and incorporated into the acquired concern to boost the merged entity’s total staff complement to more than 80 people working out of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The new Hellocomputer will immediately rank as one of the top 5 digital agencies by size in the country.

Draftfcb is recognised for its ability to build South Africa’s favourite brands using integrated advertising solutions that resonate with the man-in-the-street to win his heart and mind. This deal provides a formidable boost to this offering.

Hellocomputer emerged as the undisputed creative leader in the digital arena at the 2011 Loerie Awards, winning the coveted Grand Prix for its ground-breaking work in the Interactive Tools and Applications category.

It was also awarded the lion’s share of the 2011 Bookmarks, with a grand total of 14 demonstrating its ability to deliver results-orientated creativity across a broad spectrum of categories including microsite, technical innovation, display advertising, integrated digital media, social media, games, digital mixed media and design.

Internationally, it recently received its third FWA, a second Webby Honouree and was named as the first South African digital agency to feature on ‘The Agency List’.

The acquisition can be regarded as a coup for both parties – Draftfcb South Africa has acquired the skills and expertise of what is arguably the country’s most creative agency in the digital arena; whereas for Hellocomputer the deal provides an opportunity to produce truly integrated campaigns with some of the biggest brands in the country.

Draftfcb in South Africa is one of the flagship subsidiaries of the NYSE-listed Interpublic Group (IPG). The deal bolsters IPG’s already impressive roster of digital agencies, notably RG/A, which recently won the Titanium Cyber Lion at Cannes for Nike.

Commenting on the acquisition, Draftfcb CEO John Dixon said that in a communications landscape where outstanding creative that delivers clear results is increasingly demanded, Hellocomputer was a perfect fit.

“Apart from its undoubted creative pedigree, Hellocomputer possesses comprehensive strategic skills and development capabilities in web and mobile, measurement and analytical skills, and social and emerging media prowess. It also happens to be comprised of really nice people, which is critical to us.”

Managing Director of Hellocomputer, David Moffatt, added: “Hellocomputer has always subscribed to the principle of integrated communications. The timing, opportunity and cultural resonance with Draftfcb make this deal the optimal next step in our history.

“While we will continue to be defined by creatively inimitable, sublimely crafted solutions that achieve compelling results, our ambition has expanded to one of becoming a world-class interactive agency. We know working with Draftfcb’s integrated agencies will help us achieve that goal,” he said.

Nice one! 2oceansvibe back you, Dave – and the whole of Hellocomputer.