(C) Korea Tech Today

SEOUL – Kakao, the South Korean tech giant behind the country’s ubiquitous messaging app, announced on Wednesday that it has selected 17 outstanding advertising agencies as official partners for its 2026 Kakao Premier Partner (KPP) Program.

The KPP Program, which has been a cornerstone of Kakao’s advertising ecosystem since its inception in May 2018, aims to identify and reward agencies that demonstrate exceptional proficiency in managing Kakao Moment, the company’s dedicated display and performance advertising platform.

A Rigorous Selection Process
The selection process for the 2026 cohort was highly competitive, involving a comprehensive evaluation of candidates. Kakao assessed the agencies based on several key performance indicators (KPIs), including:

Financial Performance: Total ad spend and year-over-year revenue growth.
Operational Excellence: Technical proficiency in utilizing Kakao’s complex ad tools.
Strategic Success: The ability to deliver measurable results and innovative case studies for diverse clients.
By narrowing the list down to just 17 agencies, Kakao ensures that its "Premier" badge remains a prestigious hallmark of quality in the crowded digital marketing landscape.

Exclusive Benefits and Strategic Support
The selected partners will receive an extensive suite of benefits designed to enhance their competitive edge. Beyond the right to use the official KPP Certification Mark, these agencies will gain access to specialized branding and marketing support.

Kakao plans to facilitate regular business meetings and provide bespoke campaign consulting to help these partners optimize their clients' ad performance. Furthermore, the tech giant will provide exclusive sales collateral and host educational webinars to keep partners updated on the latest platform features and consumer trends.

Fostering an Ecosystem of Growth
To encourage networking and knowledge-sharing, Kakao has outlined a series of high-profile events. The marquee event, "Kakao Premier Partner Leadership Night," will serve as a venue for top-level executives to discuss industry shifts. Additionally, the company will host "Open Round Tables" for working-level marketers and the "Kakao Partners Connect" event to bridge the gap between the platform and its power users.

"The KPP Program is more than just a certification; it is a collaborative framework meant to drive the digital economy forward," said a representative from Kakao. "By empowering our partners with better data, tools, and networking opportunities, we are ultimately providing better value to the advertisers who rely on our ecosystem."

The announcement comes at a time when Kakao is looking to solidify its domestic advertising revenue amidst increasing competition from global platforms. By strengthening ties with elite local agencies, Kakao aims to ensure that its advertising products remain the first choice for brands looking to reach the Korean market.