The Reference

Gent, Flanders, Belgium

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

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.

Agency details

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

About this agency on Agency List

The Reference holds an Agency List Score of 94 out of 100.

That score is higher than 82% of the 36,919 agencies Agency List has assessed so far.

The Agency List Score measures how well an agency documents its work in public: named clients, quantified outcomes, and whether those outcomes are attributed to the agency rather than to the client.

It does not measure client satisfaction, price, or availability.

How the Agency List Score is measured

Assessment date

Agency List assessed The Reference in September 2026, reading 8 pages published on the-reference.com.

The score reflects what The Reference had published by that date; anything published since has not been read.

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