Merchantwise expands with social and influencer marketing acquisition

Merchantwise Group has acquired social media and influencer marketing agencies The Social CliQ and The Content CliQ to strengthen its position as a full-service brand management, marketing and media agency.

Founded by Talia Datt, The Social CliQ and The Content CliQ specialise in social media strategies and influencer-driven content. Its portfolio spans more than 300 brands, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, and currently operates with a core team of 15 and more than 3,000 UGC creators.

Both agencies are Melbourne-based and will complement Merchantwise’s Victorian HQ and its offices in Sydney, Adelaide, London and Shanghai.

Merchantwise Group CEO Alan Schauder said the acquisition positions the company at the forefront of social and influencer marketing and comes after three years of rapid growth.

“The acquisition of The Social CliQ and The Content CliQ is timely as brand engagement shifts increasingly towards digital and social channels,” he told Marketing-Interactive.

“The growing cost of paid media has made these channels less accessible and affordable for many brands. By contrast, social media and influencer marketing are not just more cost-effective; they also align with how today's consumers prefer to interact with brands—through genuine content and narratives rather than traditional ads.

“This market dynamic presents a serious opportunity for growth, making it the right moment for us to integrate these innovative agencies into our group.”

Datt will remain managing director of both businesses and take on a broader marketing leadership role within Merchantwise. Schauder said she will progressively lead marketing for the wider Merchantwise Group, integrating marketing operations for key clients and promoting group businesses.

The Social CliQ and The Content CliQ will retain their branding and operate under the Merchantwise Group umbrella. Merchantwise said it will continue to seek out acquisitions to expand its marketing and media capabilities.