Irish web design firm Granite Digital buys Rupert Murdoch's Zesty
News UK publishes titles including The Times, The Sun and The Sunday Times, and also owns Virgin Radio in the UK.
Scott Taunton, executive vice-president of News UK's broadcasting division, said the sale of Zesty to Granite will help the agency achieve its long-term growth potential.
Zesty's staff will join Granite's team of digital specialists in its offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast, New York and Dubai.
Granite Digital was founded in 2009. It provides services including web design and development, digital marketing and search engine optimisation. Audi, Intel, Red Bull, Dalata Hotel Group, Lidl and Pepsi are among its clients.
Zesty provides web design and development services. It was founded in 1996. Its clients include Bank of Ireland, Belfast City Council, Power NI, Rentokil and Phoenix Natural Gas.
Granite said the acquisition of Zesty reinforces the firm's position as Ireland's largest independent digital agency, and expands its geographic footprint. The combined group has 170 employees and more than 1,200 clients.
Conor Buckley, the CEO of Granite Digital, said the acquisition of Zesty is another 'transformative milestone' for the company.
'This deal strengthens our ability to deliver end-to-end digital solutions while expanding our technical expertise and geographic reach,' he said.
Granite Digital has made a number of acquisitions in the past.
Last year, it bought Limerick-based data science and digital marketing firm Coalface, and Dublin-based digital design agency Wondr. That added companies including An Post and the ESB to Granite's client list.
In 2023, Granite bought Galway-based digital design firm Armour, and acquired a majority stake in New York-based creative agency LCM247.
In June 2024, the company announced plans to create 50 jobs in New York by 2027 as it expands its business there.
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Irish Times
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