Irish digital agency Granite Digital has acquired Belfast-based Zesty from News UK & Ireland for an undisclosed sum.
The deal strengthens Granite’s presence in Northern Ireland and boosts its total headcount to more than 170 staff across Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway, New York and Dubai. Agency revenues are now projected to exceed €20 million in 2025.
Founded in 1996, Zesty has developed award-winning digital experiences for a client base that includes Belfast City Council, Bank of Ireland, Sport Scotland, Ernst & Young, Power NI, Phoenix Natural Gas, Rentokil and Northern Ireland Electricity Networks.
Granite CEO Conor Buckley described the acquisition as “another transformative milestone” for the agency: “With roots in one of the world’s most recognised media groups, Zesty’s exceptional track record, combined with our digital transformation capabilities, creates an unmatched offering for businesses across Ireland and internationally. This deal strengthens our ability to deliver end-to-end digital solutions while expanding our technical expertise and geographic reach.”
The acquisition, he says, will give clients access to a wider range of digital services, from accessibility specialists and UX designers to enterprise developers and digital strategists.
Over the past few years, Granite has grown substantially by way of acquisition, having bought agencies and businesses that include Coalface, WONDR, Willows Consulting, Webtrade, Continuum, Connector and MediaOne.
