DPDK (company)
DPDK is an independent digital agency headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with additional offices in New York City, San Francisco, and Manila. The agency works in brand strategy, design, and technology, and was founded in 2001.
History
DPDK was founded in 2001 by Rolf Vreijdenberger and Ferry Perret Gentil, who initially registered the company under the name "De Pannekoek en De Kale" at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, later abbreviated to DPDK. In 2003, Pim van Helten joined the company and went on to take the role of CEO And Co-founder. According to Van Helten, the agency began as a production studio focused on interactive web work before broadening into brand strategy.
Services
DPDK provides services in brand strategy, digital design, and technology development, including digital platforms, brand identities, and marketing campaigns.
Strategic Brand Systems
In March 2026, DPDK introduced a framework it calls Strategic Brand Systems, which combines positioning, organisational culture, technology, and customer experience into a single structure. The agency has described the framework as a response to fragmentation in brand experience caused by the use of artificial intelligence in marketing production.
DPDK Intelligence
Alongside Strategic Brand Systems, DPDK launched DPDK Intelligence, described by the company as an internal platform using AI agents for tasks such as copywriting, brand asset generation, and the monitoring of brand perception and customer journeys.
Clients
DPDK has worked with clients including DHL, Diergaarde Blijdorp, Goflex, and Rosco Vision Systems. In 2023, Diergaarde Blijdorp appointed DPDK as a strategic partner for its brand positioning and digital platform work. The agency also developed an educational mobile application for the zoo.
For Nike, DPDK developed "Nike Reactor", an interactive web experience for the Nike Epic React running shoe, originally conceived as an in-store activation and later extended to mobile and desktop.
Recognition
DPDK has received recognition at the Webby Awards, the Lovie Awards, the FWA, and the CSS Design Awards.
The agency received a Webby Award at the 23rd Annual Webby Awards in 2019 in the Fashion & Beauty category for "Nike Reactor". "Nike Reactor" was also recognised at the CSS Design Awards. Earlier work for Peugeot received FWA awards. The agency has been listed in the Emerce 100 ranking of Dutch digital agencies.
Pim van Helten has served as a judge for the CSS Design Awards.
See also
- Brand management