AGENCY LIST

the-reference

Ghent, Belgium
Visit the-reference.comExplore service market

Redefining digital experiences with AI and data-driven strategies

Empathy Lab, formerly known as The Reference, is a digital agency that focuses on creating impactful digital experiences. With over 30 years of experience, the agency combines creativity, technology, and empathy to deliver customer-centric solutions. As part of EPAM, Empathy Lab leverages global innovation and AI-driven intelligence to design experiences that connect with audiences.

The agency offers a range of services including data and business intelligence, digital solutions, digital architecture, and content and storytelling. They focus on using data, AI, and next-gen marketing to create digital solutions that matter. Their approach includes commerce acceleration, conversion optimization, and hyper-personalization to drive measurable business impact.

Empathy Lab has worked with notable clients such as Port of Antwerp-Bruges and DPG Media, showcasing their ability to deliver tailored digital solutions. Their expertise in AI and data-driven strategies positions them as a leader in redefining digital experiences for businesses looking to enhance their digital presence.

33
YEARS IN BUSINESS
3
SERVICES

Capabilities

Category

Digital Marketing

Services

What these services involve

Content Marketing
Content strategy and production designed to attract and convert audiences.
Marketing Automation
Automated customer journeys across email, CRM, and marketing tools.
Website Optimization
Improvements to speed, UX, SEO foundations, and site performance.

Local service markets

Agency details

Team size
201-500 people
Founded
1993 (33 years)

How the-reference scores 55 on Agency List

The Agency List Score rates each listing out of 100 across four equally weighted areas. It measures the strength of the agency's listing and public signals — not the quality of its work.

Presence & Maturity

25 / 25

How complete and how recently maintained this listing is.

  • Has a detailed written overview.
  • Has a tagline summarising what the agency does.
  • 6 of the core profile fields are filled in.
  • Profile details were updated recently.
  • Founding year on record (1993).

Relevance & Capability

19 / 25

How clearly the agency's specialism and services are classified.

  • Assigned to a primary category.
  • 3 services are listed.

Credibility & Trust

11 / 25

Contactability and verification signals that show a real business.

  • Listing ownership is not yet verified.
  • A working website is on record.
  • A contact address on the agency's own domain is on record.
  • A phone number is on record.
  • Location is on record.

Authority & Proof

0 / 25

Independent proof of work: reviews, published projects and awards.

  • No published reviews yet.
  • No published project work yet.
  • No awards recorded.

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Other agencies near the-reference

Elsewhere in Belgium

About this agency on Agency List

the-reference is listed on Agency List as part of our global directory of professional agencies. Profiles are compiled using a combination of agency-submitted information, publicly available data, and Agency List classification systems.

This page reflects the most current information available for the-reference and may evolve as additional data is verified or updated.

Local context

the-reference operates in Ghent, Belgium serving clients locally and beyond. Agency List organizes firms by geography to help buyers understand the distribution of agencies across regions and markets.

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Data notes

Profile information is derived from agency submissions and public sources. Some attributes may be estimated and are updated over time as additional data becomes available.