"At a time when the number of product launches is exploding in an ultra-competitive, globalized environment, brand identity is becoming a key success factor. That's why brands and retailers need a new, innovative partner, both strategic and agile, capable of rethinking their identity, designing strong, meaningful products and universes perfectly aligned with their audiences".explain Elie Papiernik and Xavier Leclerc de Hauteclocque, co-founders respectively of Centdegrés and founder ofInnovative Beauty Group (IBG).
With offices in Asia, the Middle East and India, Paris-based design agency Centdegrés is recognized for its expertise in the intelligence of inspiring brands, products and retail spaces. The company caters for the masstige/prestige and luxury markets, and its clients include such French and international names as LVMH, Cartier, Lacoste, Lafuma, Dyptique, OmanLuxury, To Summer, Ojar, Le Bon Parfumeur, Kiko Milano and Shrumei.
With sales of 380 M$, the IBG Group brings together 400 experts to support beauty brands as well as general and selective distributors in North America, Europe and Asia, from concept to range development.
The two structures have joined forces to invent a new business: that of a global partner, a true extension of the customer's teams, mastering the full complexity of the process.
"I've always been an entrepreneur and I love challenges, whether creative or human. This merger, which came about through a meeting with Xavier Leclerc de Hauteclocque, is an exciting new challenge. For a year, we have been experimenting with combining our know-how and prospecting together in strategic markets. A real complementarity has emerged, both in terms of business lines and geographical locations, stresses Elie Papiernik. By combining our creative strengths, we will form an entity that makes sense to become the unique partner of brands in every corner of the globe."
David Nitlich, who co-founded CentDegrés with Elie Papiernik, will preside over the Centdegrés agencies in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong) and will continue to support all Centdegrés China customers in all countries. These Asian entities will remain independent, while forging a commercial and strategic partnership with IBG.
Photo taken from the IBG website.
