Tag: Havas

Australia – Amber Abbott has been appointed CEO of Havas Australia’s creative communications agency; One Green Bean (ogb), after overseeing a period of sustained and significant growth during her tenure as managing director.

Amber assumes extended responsibility for the management and strategic direction of the agency. Working with ogb’s leadership team, managing partner Lauren Bailey and head of content Laura Byrne, to take the agency to its next phase of growth with a focus on digital innovation, world-class creative thinking, and strategic partnerships and collaborations.

Her appointment comes as One Green Bean enters its 18th year since it began in Australia helping brands earn attention through creativity that drives meaningful conversation – including enduring 10- and 11-year client relationships with Nike and Meat & Livestock Australia respectively. Under Amber’s leadership, ogb has recently welcomed a raft of new clients to its roster that includes Pinterest and Tourism & Events Queensland.

Amber has been with the agency for 11 of those 18 years, progressing from account director to hold senior leadership positions including head of client services and general manager before being appointed managing director in January 2023.

Speaking on her appointment, Amber described the full circle ogb career development she aims to replicate for her team, stating “After over a decade with ogb, it is an honour to take on this role. We’ve entered an exciting new era. We’re still the feisty, boutique agency we were all those years ago – but with the reach, reliability and rigour of a global network behind us. That is a powerful combination.”

She added, “Starting my career at ogb in 2014 was like boarding a rocket ship – fast paced, high pressure. But learning from the best in the business and working on some of the world’s most prestigious, courageous and complex brands quickly taught me that leaning into uncomfortable moments allows you to prove what you’re made of, and expedite your learning and growth.”

When asked about her vision as ogb’s new CEO, she said, “As CEO, my mission is to foster an environment that allows my passionate, talented team to thrive too – to find and seize uncomfortably exciting opportunities that push them to be their best selves, while providing the flexibility, training and personalised support to help them find the right work/life balance that is absolutely essential.”

She added, “I want to inspire my team to be present in their life beyond work, pursue passions and remain consciously curious – because the life bit makes you fundamentally better at the work bit. Not just for our careers – but for our client partners as well.”

Meanwhile, James Wright, group CEO at Havas Creative Network ANZ and global chair at Havas PR Network, commented, “The last two years has seen some of the strongest growth and commercial success in the history of ogb. This has been coupled with an outstanding culture that puts people and creativity at its core. I believe the agency is well set for this to continue with Amber at the helm. She is one of the most dedicated, organised and committed leaders I have ever worked with, and with her strategic mindset and eye for a great idea she has all the attributes you want in a CEO. More than that she is just a great person to be around and partner with as we continue to grow Havas in Australia.”

India – PivotRoots, a Havas company, has been named the digital agency for Bindu Jeera Fizz, a beverage brand in South India, to enhance its digital presence and accelerate nationwide expansion.

With India’s beverage market expected to grow significantly by 2025, Bindu is preparing to expand its reach. The partnership will focus on strengthening Bindu’s digital presence and consumer engagement as it broadens its footprint in the category.

Under this mandate, a multi-platform digital strategy will enhance Bindu’s presence in the Jeera beverage market, emphasising its authentic taste and digestive benefits. To support its national expansion, Bindu will adopt a culturally relevant, digital-first approach to connect with consumers across diverse regions.

Megha Shankar, director – marketing at Bindu Jeera Fizz, shared, “Bindu has been a beloved name in South India for years, celebrated for its rich legacy and authentic taste. As a proud Make in India brand, we are now set to expand nationwide, introducing Jeera Fizz to a wider audience while staying true to our roots. Our focus is on bridging tradition with innovation to make the brand relevant for today’s Gen Z and millennial consumers.”

“With this partnership, we aim to create engaging narratives that drive strong consumer connections and establish Bindu as the go-to choice for Jeera beverages across India,” Shankar added. 

PivotRoots’ strategy will focus on reinforcing Bindu’s identity as a well-established Jeera Fizz brand by highlighting its taste, quality, and heritage. The approach includes leveraging content-driven brand awareness through digital assets and interactive formats to improve recall and engagement.

Additionally, the strategy aims to expand market reach by increasing visibility across emerging digital platforms and encouraging product trials in new distribution channels.

Hetal Khalsa, co-founder & CCO at PivotRoots, commented, “We are excited to collaborate with Bindu and bring its legacy to a larger audience through strategic storytelling and digital innovation. Our goal is to reshape perceptions, deepen consumer engagement, and position Bindu not just as a beverage but as an essential part of everyday moments across India.”

Paris, France – Media holding company Havas has appointed new executives to lead its global data and technology strategy. Dan Hagen and Jamie Seltzer are the new global chief data and technology officers for Havas and Havas Media Network, respectively.

In his promotion, Hagen is responsible for developing Havas’ AI-powered Converged strategy across the global holding company. The operating system aims to empower the group’s employees to work efficiently to deliver integrated solutions to its clients.

Additionally, he is set to spearhead Havas’ data, tech, governance, investments, and operational strategies across the company’s global units.

Prior to his appointment, Hagen held the same role at Havas Media Network. His experience spans 25 years in data and tech, including serving as the chief strategy officer at iProspect and Carat UK.

Seltzer succeeds Hagen, now responsible for developing the Converged media product for the growth of the network’s data capabilities. She is still overseeing CSA & Media Experience Analytics, which she most recently served as global executive vice president.

In her over two decades of experience, she has held roles at WPP and Publicis Groupe.

“Data and technology are the cornerstone of our Converged global strategy – giving our people the tools, insights, and means of collaboration to supercharge our positive impact for clients. With his experience developing the Media Network’s award-winning audience planning platform, and his collaborative work with partners to develop industry-leading data and insight capabilities, Dan is ideally suited to chart a powerful data and tech future that delivers for our people and clients,” Yannick Bolloré, CEO and chairman at Havas, said.

“Clients are demanding future-forward agency partners who are data-led and outcome-driven; Jamie has been critical to ensuring Havas Media Network is positioned to deliver on that promise. We look forward to seeing Dan and Jamie’s continued collaboration across the entire Havas ecosystem to accelerate the group’s broader Converged strategy and data and tech ambitions,” Peter Mears, global CEO at Havas Media Network, said.

Indonesia – As part of its expansion in Southeast Asia, Havas has formed a strategic alliance with Indonesia-based independent agency Moonfolks, uniting Havas’ media expertise with Moonfolks’ integrated and digital marketing capabilities. 

Operating as ‘Havas Moonfolks,’ the partnership will offer a range of services, including traditional and digital advertising, social media, programmatic buying, performance marketing, creative development, and brand strategy. The collaboration aims to streamline media and creative efforts, enhancing the effectiveness and relevance of brand campaigns.

The alliance also reflects Havas’ broader strategy of integrating talent, capabilities, and platforms to streamline media and creative services. The partnership aims to enhance brand solutions by leveraging data, media, and creativity.

Additionally, the collaboration will introduce Havas’ proprietary tools and services, including Havas Market (eCommerce), Havas Play (Content & Activation), and CSA (Data & Tech), to the Indonesian market.

Effective January 6, 2025, Havas’ media team has integrated with Moonfolks, officially launching operations under the Havas Moonfolks brand.

Moonfolks will continue to operate as an independent creative and integrated agency under the leadership of its founder, CEO, and president director, Anish Daryani. Through this partnership, media and creative services will be integrated under the Havas Moonfolks umbrella.

Daryani will also assume the role of president director for Havas Moonfolks, bringing his industry expertise and market experience to drive growth and innovation. He will be supported by Stefanus Christofer (Steven) as general manager, working alongside Pankaj Nayak, the newly appointed president of SEA at Havas Media.

Under the guidance of Rana Barua, group CEO for India, SEA, and North Asia, Daryani and his team will have the resources and support needed to drive strategic decisions, align with regional objectives, and strengthen market growth.

Speaking about the alliance, Barua said, “Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia’s largest and fastest-growing markets, making it a strategic priority for us. This strategic alliance with Moonfolks marks a significant milestone in our growth journey and strengthens our position to lead with our Converged strategy, amplifying our ability to deliver impactful solutions for brands in local, regional, and global markets.”

Meanwhile, Daryani explained, “The industry has created significant complexity by separating creative and media functions into different agencies. I’ve witnessed firsthand how disconnected these teams can be, even when working on the same client or within the same holding company.” 

He added, “By uniting creative and media, we are leading the charge in challenging the traditional approach, bringing integrated agency teams together to solve business challenges for our clients. This collaboration provides a proven model that combines creative content, effective distribution, and a higher ROAS for brands. Through this alliance, we have completed our integrated model, allowing us to accelerate commerce for our clients in a way that truly drives results.”

Thailand – Communications agency Havas Thailand has announced key appointments in an effort to strengthen its leadership team. Carlo Herold has been appointed as the agency’s managing director while Siamrit Wongvichitara takes on the role of chief growth and commercial officer.

In his new role, Herold will oversee the media operations while leading strategies to enhance client engagement and boost its presence. Bringing his expertise in performance marketing and digital innovation, Herold is set to contribute to boosting the agency’s offerings.

Meanwhile, Wongvichitara will attend to Havas Thailand’s business development, building client partnerships while leveraging his knowledge of the market.

Rana Barua, group CEO of Havas India, SEA & North Asia, said, “Thailand is a key growth market for Havas, and strengthening our leadership here is a top priority. Carlo and Siamrit bring a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the local market, which will be invaluable in driving our strategic goals. As the Thai market continues to evolve with new opportunities and challenges, Carlo and Siamrit will play a pivotal role along with Aga, in navigating these shifts and accelerating our growth in the region. Their leadership will be instrumental in reinforcing Havas Thailand’s position as a forward-thinking, innovative partner to our clients.”

“These appointments mark a significant step in strengthening our capabilities and aligning with the evolving needs of the Thai market. With Thailand ranking among the top globally for mobile- first behavior and social commerce, it is crucial to strengthen our digital capabilities to stay ahead of evolving consumer trends. By helping our clients navigate this dynamic landscape, we aim to achieve sustainable growth while building meaningful brands that deeply resonate with audiences. Together, we will continue to innovate and deliver impactful solutions that resonate across the market,” Aga Giedroyc, CEO of  Havas Thailand, said.

“We are both excited to take on these roles and work together to lead Havas Thailand through its next phase of growth. We look forward to collaborating with Aga and the entire team to drive impactful strategies that not only elevate our market presence but also create lasting value for our clients. Together, we are committed to strengthening Havas Thailand’s position as a forward-thinking, solutions-driven partner in this dynamic and evolving market,” Herold and Wongvichitara commented.

Australia – Havas has announced its agreement to acquire Hotglue, an independent media agency and creative production company, as a strategic move to bolster its growth in the Australian market.

Founded in 2010, Hotglue has become renowned for its integrated social, digital, media, and content services. It has rapidly scaled in recent years, serving leading brands like L’Oreal, Dulux, and Transurban, among others. As the ‘glue’ in its integrated model, Hotglue aligns seamlessly with Havas’ integrated model.

With this acquisition, Hotglue is set to enhance Havas’ ability to deliver advanced media and activation solutions throughout the customer decision journey. It will also meet marketers’ growing demand for integrated strategies that maximise consumer engagement across various media and e-commerce channels.

Furthermore, Hotglue’s addition to Havas Village Australia will enhance and extend the group’s existing media, digital, and content services. Hotglue will merge with Havas Media Melbourne, creating a larger, more dynamic team with enhanced expertise and leadership across digital, e-commerce, media, and activation functions. 

Havas’ acquisition of Hotglue is the latest move to accelerate its Converged global strategy and shift towards a more client-centric, audience-first, and integrated approach.

Upon completion of the transaction, subject to customary conditions, the new Havas Media Melbourne team will be led by Hotglue’s founders: Nick Smith, Lewis Hearn, and Matt Hearn.

The combined team will include over 65 professionals at the Melbourne agency, expanding its scale and growth potential. This will elevate Havas’ Melbourne presence to over 120 staff across media, creative, PR, health, and digital project management.

Speaking on the acquisition, Smith said, “Since our inception 14 years ago, Matt, Lewis, and I set out to create the independent agency we always wanted to work in—one our clients deserved and an environment where our staff had the opportunity to flourish. It’s been a fun ride, and we’ve been successful in achieving just that.” 

“When Havas knocked on our door and we got to know Virginia’s future vision, Havas’s sense of purpose, and their strategy for the future, it became abundantly clear that this was the next logical step for Hotglue and our team of over 55 dedicated staff. We’re thrilled to bring our fantastic culture, social, media, and production capabilities and incredibly skilled workforce into the Havas network. This move not only adds support to existing clients but further establishes Havas as a formidable presence in the Melbourne market,” he continued. 

Meanwhile, Yannick Bolloré, chairman and CEO of Havas, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the Hotglue team to our Havas family. Hotglue is a forward-thinking business that perfectly aligns with Havas’ global Converged strategy, sharing our deep focus on clients’ ever-increasing needs for cross-functional, fully integrated communications solutions driven by standout creativity and the best technology. The momentum they’ve created through their integrated approach to digital, media, and content services is remarkable, and we are excited to see how their addition will support our continued, mutual growth.”

Virginia Hyland, CEO of Havas Media Network AUNZ, also said, “Following Hotglue’s success over many years, I have always admired the pedigree of the talented team, their strategic smarts, and their consistent delivery of high-quality results, which has driven their agency’s growth and success. Integrating Hotglue into Havas Media Melbourne will enhance our scale and ability to offer comprehensive solutions across the consumer decision-making journey for our clients. This acquisition supports our progressive Havas Converged strategy and operating system. I look forward to warmly welcoming the Hotglue team as we grow our Melbourne Village footprint, adding even greater depth of skills and expertise to our talented team.”

James Wright, group CEO at Havas Creative Network AUNZ and global chair of Havas PR Network, also commented, “As we look to strategically scale in Melbourne, it’s important we add greater talents and capability to our media agency business. With the expertise and brilliance of Nick, Lewis, Matt, and their team, we will have a significant foundation to further attract exciting new clients and talent to the Havas Group. We look forward to bringing the team across and building an even more powerful Melbourne Village.”

Singapore – YouGov, the international online research data and analytics technology group, and advertising agency Havas have announced the expansion of their data partnership, which powers Havas’ client insights.

In this expanded partnership, Havas and YouGov’s collaboration now supports Havas’ Village approach, integrating media, creativity, and talent collaboration to provide customers with a more meaningful brand experience.

The new deal also increases the market coverage of the partnership, from 18 to now 26 markets across the globe. Havas also expanded the relationship to encompass Havas Media Network, Havas Creative Network, and Havas Health & You agencies, allowing the entire network to benefit from the YouGov Profiles and YouGov BrandIndex data.

YouGov and Havas also continue to collaborate on three global custom research studies for in-depth client analysis: ‘Meaningful Brands,’ a flagship survey analysing brand impact and equity over 15 years; ‘Connect,’ a study on brand association and influence throughout the consumer decision journey; and ‘Content,’ an in-depth survey on the effectiveness of over 35 content types. 

The collaboration grants Havas access to YouGov’s connected living data approach, enhancing custom study data with insights from YouGov Profiles and YouGov BrandIndex. This global partnership provides Havas with continuously updated data sets.

Dan Hagen, global chief data & technology officer at Havas Media Network, said, “As we aim to deliver upon our One Havas ambition and power the convergence of creativity, data, technology, media, and production across our global network, YouGov will be a key data partner for the future. Our expanded partnership will greatly enhance what we can offer our clients and bring in insights from key markets across Europe, LATAM, MENA, and APAC. YouGov has a global reach and connected data capabilities, which have enabled us to integrate their data at a respondent level into our data and tech platform, Converged, in markets around the world.”

Also speaking on the partnership, Steve Hatch, CEO of YouGov, shared, “We are pleased to deepen our partnership with Havas and honoured at the level of trust they have placed in our data-driven insights. With YouGov’s unique combination of data from our proprietary panel, our connected data abilities, and our best-in-market research tools, we are proud to enable one of the world’s largest global communications groups to gain a deeper understanding of consumers and make more informed business decisions. This expansion of our partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering the most actionable insights to companies and institutions around the world.”

Singapore – AIA Singapore has partnered with Havas Village Singapore’s integrated specialists from Socialyse, Havas Play, and Arena Media Singapore to launch its latest campaign, raising awareness about the importance of having adequate critical illness (CI) coverage.

AIA Singapore’s campaign features a heartfelt 5-minute film titled ‘Confessions of a Liar’ that spotlights the intricacies of familial bonds, conveyed through the playful dynamic between the middle-aged protagonist and his mother through the different seasons in his life, including a phase of critical illness. 

The protagonist opens the film with a humorous speech in front of his loved ones as he reflects on the playful exchanges he had with his mother through the years. His humour would remain as he recounts their enduring bond that stayed even in the challenging times of illness, serving as a resilient force that keeps them together despite the adversities of cancer. 

The campaign film aims to drive awareness about the need to be adequately protected against critical illnesses and for Singaporeans to have accessible CI coverage like AIA’s UCC plan, which covers up to 150 medical conditions and 73 critical illnesses across any stage. 

The campaign comes after Havas’ Arena Media Singapore was reappointed by AIA Singapore as its media agency of record (AOR). Arena Media Singapore currently oversees the campaign, which was rolled out using a multi-channel approach, including TVC, out-of-home executions, video, programmatic, and social ads.

Kenny Yap, managing director of Socialyse, Havas Play, and Havas Red, said, “At Havas, we are all about being meaningful. That is, to deliver work that makes a positive difference to the brands and businesses we work with, from our client partnerships to consumer engagements. We are humbled by the integrated opportunity to collaborate with AIA Singapore to launch this heartfelt thematic film with a touch of humour, elevating awareness and importance of critical illness coverage.” 

Global – Havas has announced new leadership appointments, including Alberto Canteli, as chairman and CEO of Havas Nordics, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, who will take on additional global duties. Rana Barua, as group CEO of Havas India, will now supervise South East and North Asia.

Barua, who is based in Mumbai, will take on further duties that will cover North and South East Asia. In his new role as group CEO for India, South East & North Asia, Barua’s duties have expanded to encompass overseeing nine more markets. 

Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Barua has spent the last five years overseeing Havas’ operations in India, which employ over 2,000 people across Havas Creative Network and Havas Media Network. 

Alberto Canteli, who is based in Dubai, will continue to lead Havas Nordics, Benelux, Central & Eastern Europe, and the Middle East as chairman and CEO. He will also take on additional duties, working with Donna Murphy, global CEO of Havas Creative Network and Havas Health & You, to supervise special projects. 

Canteli has changed its focus area to be the identification of global growth possibilities and the development of practical plans. This includes looking into potential new clients, growing the services offered, and supporting cross-selling campaigns. Canteli has been with Havas for a long time and has been in the company’s global expansion for more than 20 years. 

Speaking about his appointment, Barua expressed, “I am extremely excited and thankful to the global leadership team for entrusting me with this additional responsibility. These nine distinct markets in South East & North Asia, provide multiple and diverse occasions for collaboration for both our global and local clients. I look forward to working closely with the regional teams and each country’s leadership to create more meaningful engagements and opportunities for our talent and clients.” 

Meanwhile, Canteli said, “During moments like these of continued disruption and transformation, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to combine my regional responsibilities in Europe and the Middle East with a new role that will facilitate a closer collaboration with our global leadership team. AI, Web 3.0 and Blockchain among other advancements, will have a strong impact on our industry and it will be a privilege to contribute to the transformation and turnaround of our business moving forward.” 

Furthermore, Yannick Bolloré, chairman and global CEO, Havas, commented, “I would like to warmly congratulate Alberto and Rana on their new, expanded roles. Their proven leadership skills, vast expertise and innovative thinking will create new synergies and accelerate growth, allowing our teams to further build on Havas’ integrated approach and offer our clients the best possible outcomes.” 

Singapore – Havas has recently announced the acquisition of Klareco Communications, Singapore homegrown agency and Southeast Asian corporate, financial and strategic communications consultancy, to strengthen its global strategic communications advisory arm, H/Advisors, in Asia-Pacific.

This acquisition allows Singapore to become a critical base for H/Advisors to steer its international clients through this macroeconomic environment, and will also strengthen Havas’ presence in Singapore through its integrated Village approach.

With a power base in Southeast Asia, the addition of Klareco Communications represents an important next step in H/Advisors’ strategic growth plan. On closing, the agency will be renamed H/Advisors Klareco.

This addition represents another significant milestone, following the successful launch of H/Advisors in Dubai earlier this year and the recent acquisitions of Australian Public Affairs, one of Australia’s most prominent and successful public affairs agencies, and Cunha Vaz & Associados, Portugal’s leading PR and communications consultancy.

H/Advisors Klareco and its senior management team will take on a significant role within the strategic advisory network. The local leadership includes CEO and co-founder Ang Shih-Huei, and managing director and co-founder Mark Worthington who will join the Asia board to help direct and lead the expansion of H/Advisors in Asia-Pacific.

Speaking on the acquisition, Yannick Bolloré, chairman and global CEO, Havas, and chairman, Vivendi, said, “Our partnership with Klareco allows us to draw on their breadth of experience and knowledge of the Asian market as we continue to expand our Havas presence in APAC. We are delighted to welcome the well-respected Klareco team onboard and look forward to achieving great things together.”

Shih-Huei added, “As an independent firm, we have already been working with some of the largest MNCs and leading Asian headquartered companies. H/Advisors allows us to deepen our core communications offering across corporate, financial, digital and public affairs, and expand our expertise in fast growing areas such as sustainability and change communications, to ensure we continue to deliver best practice for our clients. Our teams are excited for this new chapter ahead.”

Worthington also mentioned, “We are delighted to partner with H/Advisors to enhance our standing as a landing point for international firms coming to, or expanding in Asia. Increasingly, boards and management face complex communications challenges as they expand internationally. We are excited to build on our offering to support these challenges, ensuring we have expertise and relationships in the markets our clients need.”

Meanwhile, Stéphane Fouks, executive chairman, H/Advisors, and vice president, Havas, commented, “2023 has been an outstanding year of growth for H/Advisors, with the opening of our Dubai office and the acquisitions of CV&A (Portugal) & APA (Australia) and now our partnership with Klareco, which will strengthen our offering not only in APAC but globally. Klareco is the leading communications advisory in Southeast Asia, and we are delighted to welcome Shih-Huei, Mark and the talent and experience they will bring to H/Advisors.”