Paris-based influencer marketing agency YKONE acquires 70% stake in India's Barcode

In a bid to expand its global footprint, French influencer marketing powerhouse YKONE has recently announced the acquisition of a 70% stake in Barcode, an Indian content and influencer marketing agency.

The move not only strengthens YKONE's position in the influencer marketing realm, with a turnover of $100 million and a workforce of over 300 employees but also leverages the combined strengths and resources of both firms to tap into new business opportunities and adapt to the fast-evolving international influencer marketing landscape.

With this acquisition, Both YKONE and Barcode will leverage their respective strengths, resources, and expertise to seize new business opportunities.

YKONE's global presence 

Founded in 2008 in Paris, YKONE has established itself as a leader in influencer marketing. It operates in 18 key cities worldwide, including Hong Kong, Dubai, and Milan.

The agency has been at the forefront of crafting campaigns for over 100 iconic brands in the luxury, beauty, fashion, travel, and FMCG sectors, such as Hugo Boss, Chopard, Prada, and Nespresso. YKONE's approach offers comprehensive influencer marketing and social media solutions, aiming for a seamless experience for its clients.

Why did YKONE acquire Barcode?

Barcode, founded in 2019 by Rahul Khanna, has quickly become a go-to agency for 100 brands in India, including YouTube, Unilever, and Amazon.

With over 150 employees and three offices, Barcode's talent management branch, CLICK MEDIA, represents over 20 renowned Indian influencers and actors. The company believes that the acquisition significantly enhances its ability to connect brands with high-profile influencers in the Indian market, further amplifying its portfolio.

“The acquisition of Barcode Agency is a significant step for YKONE and its international expansion. YKONE already had a presence in India with an office in Bangalore since 2017. With the addition of Barcode’s operations in India, YKONE’s reach in the country and the broader Asia-Pacific region expands even further," said Olivier Billon, Founder and CEO of YKONE.

The growing luxury market in India

The acquisition comes at a time when India's luxury market is poised for rapid growth, expected to reach $200 billion by 2030. With a social media audience of over 500 million, the collaboration between YKONE and Barcode creates a formidable platform for brands and creators to engage with the next big global journey. 

Rahul Khanna, Barcode’s CEO, stated: “We express our heartfelt appreciation to our customers and collaborators in India. This acquisition empowers us to provide worldwide services to our Indian clientele while simultaneously promoting India’s unique narrative globally. We are very proud to join forces with YKONE’s talented teams. My ambition with Olivier is to achieve worldwide supremacy in the field of Influencer Marketing."