Singapore – Havas Media Network has launched CSA, its technology, data, and analytics consultancy arm in Southeast Asia (SEA). As part of the launch, the media experience agency has appointed James McNeely as head of CSA in SEA.

In his new role, McNeely is set to spearhead CSA’s growth, strengthening its capabilities and offerings in the region. He brings over 13 years of expertise in data, analytics, and martech.

CSA’s launch in SEA aims to serve its clients better in the region, providing data-driven solutions and technology. Its services include digital and proprietary tools, and strategic insights across its CSA Tech, Science, and Consult offerings.

Having been launched in 2023, CSA has expanded to 20 markets, including the Middle East, Australia, China, and India.

Rana Barua, group CEO at Havas India, SEA & North Asia, said, “Our strategic growth in this region is driven by a bold ambition—to build a future-facing network anchored in strong, differentiated capabilities. With Southeast Asia’s immense potential, CSA’s unique mix of global expertise and local insight puts us in a stronger position to help brands navigate complexity, seize new opportunities, and create lasting impact.”

Pankaj Nayak, CEO of Havas Media Network Singapore and president – SEA at Havas Media, commented, “With data and technology increasingly shaping business transformation, CSA empowers us to reimagine how we use data and technology — not just as tools, but as catalysts for meaningful brand growth. I’m excited to partner with James to shape solutions that are agile, insight-led, and built for the future in this high-potential region.” 

McNeely said, “I’m excited to lead the growth of CSA across Southeast Asia and support our clients in leveraging the full potential of their data and tech assets. In the months ahead, my focus will be on strengthening local capabilities and partnering closely with businesses to deliver smarter, data-led outcomes that drive measurable impact.”

India – In a move to boost its data-driven marketing capabilities, Havas India has launched CSA, the global technology, data, and analytics arm of Havas, helping brands leverage customer data to drive growth and meaningful results.

To further strengthen its data and technology capabilities, Havas India also merged PivotConsult, the strategic consulting arm of PivotRoots, into CSA India. PivotConsult, a 55-member team, collaborates with high-profile clients such as Kotak Bank, Bisleri, Wildcraft, Coca-Cola, and Samsung, among others.

CSA’s entry into the Indian market brings a strong understanding of clients’ business challenges, blending global expertise with local insights to offer a complete view of marketing performance. Its product suite adapts to various markets, helping clients at all data maturity levels boost their return on investment.

CSA’s core offerings focus on three pillars: CSA Tech for automation, data consolidation, and digital transformation; CSA Science for data-driven marketing measurement; and CSA Consult, providing expert insights through a global network to accelerate growth.

Jamie Seltzer, global EVP for CSA & Mx Analytics, said, “As the industry’s fastest-growing market, India is experiencing exponential growth, and it’s crucial for Indian brands to leverage their data and tech assets in a comprehensive, sophisticated manner. We’re excited to launch CSA in India at such a crucial moment in this market’s development, bringing a seamless, integrated approach to data, tech, and analytics to the region.” 

Meanwhile, leading this major development is Gaurav Seth, who has been appointed managing partner to head CSA India’s operations. He will report to Shibu Shivanandan, CEO and founder of PivotRoots, and will be based in Mumbai.

Seth brings over 20 years of experience in digital advertising to his new role at CSA India. For the past 15 years, he has focused on data-driven marketing solutions, leading more than 300 projects for ad networks, agencies, and product companies, establishing himself as a recognised expert in the industry.

With experience across marketers, publishers, agencies, and ad tech firms, Gaurav has a deep understanding of the marketing ecosystem. During his eight years at Lotame, a global data management company, he built the business in India from scratch, establishing it as the leading data management platform in the country.

Rana Barua, group CEO of Havas India for SEA & North Asia, said, “The launch of CSA in India marks a significant milestone in our journey to offer integrated, data-led solutions to clients. As businesses increasingly look to data to fuel their growth, CSA’s blend of global expertise and local insights will provide them with the tools to navigate today’s complex landscape and deliver measurable results. With Gaurav Seth at the helm and the integration of PivotConsult, CSA is poised to lead the way in helping brands harness the full potential of data to drive transformation and meaningful business outcomes. I wish the team the very best.”

Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India, added, “More than 50% of marketers are struggling with redundant marketing technologies. They are spending a lot of time learning new technologies that are often sub optimally used and may not work well with other existing platforms. Havas CSA solves exactly this problem. Leveraging its experience with more than 1,000 clients globally and in India, this expert team in Martech and Adtech stands at the vital intersection of marketing, data, and technology. I wish Gaurav all the best in this new journey.”