influencer marketing agency YKONE has bought a controlling stake in Indian content and influencer marketing agency Barcode Entertainment to foray into the Indian market, top executives of both firms told ET.
YKONE has bought a 70% stake in the Mumbai-based Barcode for an estimated valuation of $18-20 million. The two companies refused to confirm the value of the transaction, which is one of the biggest in the fledgling influencer marketing industry, pegged at ₹1,200 crore.
YKONE has paid cash to acquire the 70% stake and intends to buy out the remaining 30% stake through an equity swap. Rahul Khanna, CEO of Barcode, will become a board member of YKONE.
Olivier Billon, founder and CEO of YKONE, said the company is eyeing a turnover of close to $100 million in 2024 due to the acquisition of Barcode.-Javed Farooqui