Observed Signal · Jul 1, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: The Drum · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
EY Consolidates Agencies into Studio+ to Reimagine Creativity
EY has consolidated 37 prior agency acquisitions into a single group called Studio+, placing design and creativity at the core of business transformation. Led by Pierre Beaufils, EY’s global deputy vice-chair for consulting, Studio+ combines strategy, business, technology and design under one brand and employs around 7,000 people. Beaufils argues AI should be a force multiplier that frees time for deeper creative work rather than merely increasing speed. Studio+ reported double-digit year-on-year growth and has been used to win back global e-commerce work from a Korean electronics manufacturer by offering a single, consolidated client construct.
A major consultancy (EY) has reorganized creative agencies into an integrated transformation offering and is explicitly using AI to deepen creative work—this may shift how brands source creative and transformation services and signals competitive pressure on standalone agencies and strategy firms.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- EY consolidated 37 agency acquisitions into a single group called Studio+.
- Approximately 7,000 people now sit under the Studio+ brand.
- Studio+ spans strategy, business, technology and design under one construct.
- Studio+ reported double-digit year-on-year growth, according to Pierre Beaufils.
- EY regained a Korean consumer electronics manufacturer's global e-commerce work after reorganizing offerings under Studio+.
Connected Companies & Entities
1 Entity mapped“Pierre Beaufils, EY’s global deputy vice-chair for consulting, has taken a different route....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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