Belgian family office Shopinvest is investing in Yuntos, a new marketing group, which comprises social media agency Social Taco and branding agency Studio Piñata. The partnership and capital injection should give the group the clout it needs in this particularly competitive market. “This partnership means we can achieve our growth ambitions more quickly, with new products and services and through focused strategic takeovers”, said CEO Thijs Wostyn.
There’s little that Thijs Wostyn does not know about marketing. He was born into a family of entrepreneurs. His grandfather published a regional newspaper, and his father owned a printing firm. Wostyn developed a passion for communication from a young age. After he finished his studies, he started his first company, Social Taco. The company has gone on to become a leading social media agency that supports organisations with authentic storytelling and targeted campaigns. Wostyn launched his second company in 2023. Studio Piñata is a branding agency that helps organisations with their brand positioning and employer branding.
A strategic leap forward
Wostyn now heads up the operations of both companies, alongside Axelle De Groote and Stijn Vanhaverbeke. His partner, Yoni Bultinck, is responsible for sales and HR. “We believe in a highly people-centred approach”, said Bultinck. “That’s why we work with self-managing teams which are given the freedom to develop their own marketing expertise. It enables us to stay agile and means we can provide our customers with rapid and focused support.”
The team at Social Taco and Studio Piñata has grown over the last eight years into a core group of 13 employees, complemented by a network of freelancers. It is noteworthy that 80% of the group’s new customers come from recommendations from satisfied customers. “It’s proof that our approach works, and it will remain our key focus over the coming years”, said Wostyn. Being close to customers is also an increasingly important part of the strategy at Social Taco and Studio Piñata. “We’re now also expanding to Antwerp, alongside our offices in Torhout and Kruisem. This will enable us to respond even better to the needs of customers in the region.”
Wostyn wants to further expand this solid foundation with the support from Shopinvest. “In Yuntos, we are creating a new group that will not only look at current market demands, but also future trends and technologies.” As part of that ambition, the group is now hiring a Marketing Innovation Manager. “His mission will be to develop innovative applications”, explained Wostyn. “We want to stand out from other players in the market with custom-built solutions which really help companies to get ahead.”
A long-term partner
Shopinvest immediately saw the growth potential in Wostyn’s future plans. “We believe in businesses which genuinely put their customers first and have a clear vision of the future.” said Kristof Talpe, CEO of Shopinvest. “We see this as a long-term commitment.”
As far as the customers of Social Taco and Studio Piñata are concerned, nothing else will change. “It’s about retaining the strength of each company and reinforcing it within the group,” said Wostyn. In doing so, Yuntos has chosen a low-cost structure with small, specialised teams who have direct contact with customers. “With Shopinvest as a value-driven, long-term partner, we can offer even more bespoke services, and we want to develop into a results-driven group that dares to seize opportunities to become stronger. We are also open to exploring new partnerships which complement our expertise and consolidate our position as an innovative marketing partner.”