Australia – Havas today announces the acquisition of strategic communications consultancy Australian Public Affairs (APA).
This acquisition will integrate APA within H/Advisors, Havas’s global strategic communications advisory network. This will be H/Advisors’ first owned operation in Australia, with the firm being renamed as ‘H/Advisors APA’.
In line with the continued investment in Havas’ capability across strategic communications and regulated environments, H/Advisors APA’s leading, insight-driven strategic counsel aims to add expertise and geographic reach to the network’s global clients as they continue expansion. It will also further strengthen Havas’ presence in Australia, adding new capabilities to better serve its clients.
The local leadership team from APA that includes CEO Tracey Cain, deputy CEO Phil McCall, and CFO Kathryn Higgs will continue in their roles. H/Advisors APA will be reporting to group CEO of Havas Creative Network Australia, James Wright, while leveraging global connections and opportunities through the H/Advisors network and its leadership.
Speaking on the acquisition, Wright said, “As the Australian consulting landscape reforms amid recent crises, opportunity is emerging for strong, capable and values-driven global challengers that bring local knowledge and smart thinking.”
“With complementary skills and alignment, H/Advisors APA will be perfectly positioned to fulfil requirements of corporates, governments and NFPs in need of a new approach. We look forward to integrating Tracey and her team into the Havas Village in the coming months,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tracey Cain, now the chief executive officer H/Advisors APA, commented, “For nearly three decades, we have built APA as a high quality, evidence-based firm with expertise in regulated sectors and complex stakeholder environments.”
“The logical next step for us is to partner with Havas and H/Advisors to expand the services offered and the reach of our client base. We have ambitious plans and are excited to take the next step with H/Advisors and the broader Havas Group,” she concluded.
This announcement follows Havas’ November 2022 acquisition of health and pharmaceutical specialist Bastion Brands as part of a strategy to expand capability and increase the group’s specialist advertising and communications offering in the Australian market.
