Marketing communications specialist Aegis Group Plc has continued the international expansion of its digital marketing operations with an acquisition in France.

The group, through its digital division Isobar, has added search engine marketing firm Aposition to its business for an undisclosed sum.

This is the latest step in its strategy to expand its search engine network, trading as iProspect, and follows acquisitions in Belgium, Holland, Germany and Thailand this year.

Aposition will form iProspect France with Takezo, Isobar’s existing search business in the country.

Aegis chief executive Robert Lerwill said the search market has huge growth potential. “Along with our existing search expertise in France, Aposition will enable us to offer the integrated iProspect approach to local and global clients in the region.”

Aposition has been maximising websites’ presence in search engine listings since 1999. Its clients include Mappy, Le Guide, Unedic and Rue du Commerce.

iProspect, which was founded in 1996 as a search business with a unique keyword technology, was bought by Isobar four years ago. Its network comprises 19 offices in 16 countries, such as Hungary, Spain, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.