MILAN — Leading international influencer marketing agency Ykone Group, parent company of the Bold Management talent agency, has acquired a 25 percent stake in Atlas Agency, Switzerland’s key player in premium talent management.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but the move reflects Ykone’s ambition to consolidate its European footprint and reinforce its top position in the luxury and high-end influence market.
“With this acquisition, Ykone strengthens its European dominance and global reach,” said Olivier Billon, the company’s founder and chief executive officer. “We are already deeply established in Paris, Milan, London, Madrid and Munich. Switzerland is not just a key market for Ykone — it represents a culture of excellence and precision that perfectly aligns with our vision of luxury.”
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Ykone Group is present in Geneva since 2020, supporting prominent names including Audemars Piguet, Tudor, IWC, Swarovski and On Running. Ykone identified further potential in the Swiss market, namely in light of its concentration of multinational headquarters and premium brands in sectors aligned with its core businesses, such as watchmaking, jewelry, beauty, health care, hospitality and tourism.
According to data shared by Ykone, Switzerland also represents a fast-growing market valued at $120 million, with an expected annual growth rate of 30 percent through 2029.
All the more reason to invest locally. “Maxime Perrin has built a remarkable company. He has handpicked top-tier talents and developed an impressive client portfolio,” said Billon about Atlas. Founded in 2019, the agency represents a selective roster of creators, including Julia Haller, Layna Sacino, Jonathan Akamba, Carla Cournot, Kobi Miles and Pierangelo Barone, among others.
“We share the same vision as Ykone: to build a more cultural and sustainable model of influence,” said Atlas Agency’s CEO Perrin. “With their international expertise and support, we will elevate talent management standards across the DACH region — applying Swiss discipline to the development of global careers.”
With annual revenues of more than 100 million euros, Ykone is one of the world’s top influencer marketing agencies, working with likes of Chopard, Hugo Boss, P&G and L’Oréal, to cite a few.
Its leading position is also given by its widespread presence, as the company counts more than 300 employees across 18 territories and plans to grow to 500 employees in the coming years through its strategy of sustained yet selective expansion via partnerships with local players.
To be sure, the Atlas Agency acquisition follows another recent deal. As reported, in June the company acquired a majority stake in The Digital Prototype, or TDP, a Paris-based specialist in talent management, influencer marketing and content creation. At the time, financial details were not disclosed but it was understood that TDP would have been integrated and operate under Bold Management’s banner, representing its French division.
Previous deals included Ykone’s acquisition of a 70 percent stake in Indian firm Barcode last year; a 51 percent interest in Milan-based digital communication agency MB New Media Agency, established by Matteo Baldi and operating the Bold Management talent firm headed by Enrico De Finis, in 2021, and of German agency Cover Communications, helmed by Anne Höweler, a year later.
The Ykone Group also operates an in-house platform, called Campaygn, specialized in data analysis.
