YKONE, a French influencer marketing firm, has acquired a 70% ownership stake in Barcode, a content and influencer marketing agency, for an undisclosed sum.
This strategic move allows both YKONE and Barcode to leverage their unique strengths, resources, and expertise to explore new business prospects and adapt to the evolving dynamics of the international influencer marketing landscape.
The acquisition of Barcode significantly bolsters YKONE’s market position, with an annual turnover of $100 million and a team of over 300 professionals. Established in 2008, YKONE initially began its operations in Paris and has since expanded its footprint to 18 cities worldwide, including Hong Kong, Dubai, and Milan. Over the years, the agency has executed successful campaigns for renowned brands in luxury, beauty, fashion, travel, and the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.
Leading brands such as Hugo Boss, Chopard, Prada, Estée Lauder, Ferragamo, and Nespresso are just a few among the 100+ clients that rely on YKONE’s expertise to engage their target audience through compelling stories and content across social media platforms. YKONE offers comprehensive influencer marketing and social media solutions, ensuring a seamless experience for its clients.
Founded in 2019 by Rahul Khanna, Barcode has quickly emerged as a go-to agency in India, serving 100+ brands including major players like YouTube, Unilever, Amazon, Sharechat, Flipkart, Myntra, Tira, Warner Music, Budweiser, MG Motors, Glance, and others. The talent management division of Barcode, known as “CLICK MEDIA,” represents a roster of over 20 prominent Indian influencers and actors, including Rohit Zinjurke with 30 million followers and Karishma Sharma with 2.2 million followers. This acquisition expands YKONE’s portfolio and strengthens its ability to connect brands with influential personalities in the Indian market.
