By Arun Sudhaman

HONG KONG: Bite Communications has snapped up Hong Kong online marketing firm OneXeno, marking parent company Next Fifteen’s second digital acquisition in less than a week.

The purchase sees OneXeno founder Michael Zung join Bite as Asia-Pacific managing director of digital, while Bite Asia-Pacific president David Ketchum takes on worldwide responsibility for digital and social media at the agency.

The acquisition follows last week’s buy of web design agency Type3, which Next Fifteen is merging with its existing Project Metal unit to create a standalone digital consultancy called Beyond.

OneXeno was founded in 2003 and focuses on interactive campaigns, search, email marketing and digital creative. Current clients include Coach, eBay, PCCW, Toys R Us and Smartone-Vodafone. The agency will now trade under the Bite brand.

After founding OneXeno in Hong Kong, Zung also launched and headed HSBC’s ‘branchless’ banking initative, HSBC Direct in Taiwan and Korea.

“Today’s clients are looking for more than just social media and on-line public relations; they are looking for digital initiatives that help them meet their bigger picture marketing and business development objectives,” said Zung in a statement. “Bringing OneXeno’s strategic digital insights and technical skills together with Bite’s regional and global networks will propel our capability and client service to the next level.”

Bite launched its operations Asia-Pacific last year when it acquired Upstream Asia, founded by Ketchum. That agency has developed a strong social media offering, but Ketchum pointed out that OneXeno adds a new dimension to its services and, from a business development perspective, brings “new relationships”.