Accenture Interactive gets physical with Matter product design acquisition
Accenture’s acquisition spree continues,now it’s buying Matter, a San Francisco based firm that specialises in product design. Matter will be combined with Accenture’s design operation Fjord.
Recent Accenture marcoms buys include Wire Stone, The Monkeys, Kunstmaan, Karmarama, SinnerSchrader and IMJ. Its Fjord now employs over 1,000 people in 35 offices worldwide.
Accenture Interactive MD and Fjord co-lead Baiju Shah says: “As digital is increasingly embedded in the physical world, brands are coming to us to create connected experiences that capitalize on the potential of the union of digital and physical realms. Matter allows us to fully address our clients’ needs to connect their physical products and experiences with digital services, furthering our ambition to improve the full human experience with brands.”
Founded in 2012, Matter has worked with brands including Intel, Samsung and Sonos. The firm is best- known for using emerging digital technologies to embed interactivity into physical objects and environments. It is led by designer Max Burton, who contributed to the inception of Nike+ while at Nike’s Tech Lab and to MyMagic+ and the Disney Magic Band.
Burton (above) says: “Fjord shares our fundamental belief in the transformative power of design to enhance everyday lives and shape the way we work and live. As part of a world-class Accenture-owned design & innovation firm, we’re thrilled about the opportunity to design and deliver connected experiences and improve the way humans work and live.”
