Tag: Havas Media

Singapore – Havas Media Singapore has been appointed as the integrated media agency of record for the Singapore business of Great Eastern, a financial services provider. The agency won the media mandate after a competitive pitch process.

As the integrated media agency of record, Havas Media Singapore is responsible for developing and executing media strategies. It is also tasked to oversee planning and buying across online and offline channels to support Great Eastern’s growth.

Great Eastern selected Havas Media for its innovative approach to delivering results based on its marketing objectives.

“We are honoured to embark with Great Eastern on this partnership, a brand that shares our commitment to delivering meaningful impact. As we continue to invest in our digital capabilities and tools to enhance client centricity and collaboration, we look forward to elevating Great Eastern’s brand presence and supporting their mission to empower customers to Reach For Great,” Russell Lai, chief commercial officer of Havas Media Network Singapore, said.

Keith Chia, head of group brand and marketing at Great Eastern Singapore, commented, “Havas Media’s data-driven, digitally forward approach combined with their thorough understanding of our brand and business objectives assured us they were a good fit. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration as we continue to further strengthen our brand with our customers and engage the next generation of younger audiences.”

KFC Singapore spices up SGAG office in flavour-packed campaign to bring back a fan-fave menu 

Singapore – Global fast-food chain KFC has partnered with Havas Media and media company SGAG for its latest campaign that announces the return of a well-loved KFC menu.

The fun campaign featured a secret operation orchestrated by KFC, Havas Media, and select SGAG members in the SGAG office. The special surprise is to announce the return of KFC’s fan favourite, ‘Cheesy Zinger Meltz’.

For the grand reveal, SGAG cast members Sean and Amy enter the office holding a Cheesy Zinger Meltz and are accompanied by KFC balloons and party hats, turning the office atmosphere into a full party.

Other cast members, including Xiaoming, Nancy, and Syakeel, also joined in on the fun. And for every game or challenge won, the members can have as many of the Cheesy Zinger Meltz as they want.

The launch party was captured on reel and shared on SGAG’s TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook with supplementary meme posts. It was also shared on the members’ Instagram stories to extend and amplify the viewers excitement for the comeback of KFC’s Cheesy Zinger Meltz.

Together with the comeback of the fans’ well-loved menu product, the fast-food chain will also be launching the newest addition to the menu, a limited-time ‘KFC Cajun Wedges’.

Kelvin Goh, media director at Havas Media Group Singapore, said, “The exclusive and carefully orchestrated launch party at SGAG’s office was a unique activation that does justice to an eagerly anticipated re-launch. Not only were we able to showcase the joyful reaction that KFC’s Cheesy Zinger Meltz brings, but the surprise activation also served a strong role in breaking the news on social platforms.” 

Speaking on the campaign, Sheryl Thong, Director of Business Development at HEPMIL Singapore, also shared, “SGAG teamed up with KFC to bring the cheesy excitement right to our office! We’ve turned our office into a tasty haven with the delicious smell of KFC. Our team enjoyed fun challenges and got to taste the new KFC Cheesy Zinger Meltz before it’s available in stores. Working with KFC and the Havas Media team has been an amazing experience, and we’re excited to bring the latest zinger delight to our audiences!”

Mumbai, India – Havas Media Network India has emerged as the agency to handle the integrated media mandate of financial company Capri Loans, a brand of Capri Global Capital Limited.

Capri Loans has chosen Havas Media to boost its market presence and enhance brand recognition in the financial sector. They will specifically provide innovative media strategies and manage all aspects of media planning.

Moreover, Havas Play, with its combined expertise in sports, entertainment, and content, will also support Capri Global’s sports initiatives.

Basant Dhawan, group CMO of Capri Global, said they chose the Havas Media Network for its deep understanding of their vision and unique approach. He added that with Havas Media, their target audience will be more engaged through appropriate channels and achieve exceptional results.

In a statement from Mohit Joshi, CEO of Havas Media India, he assures that with their experienced team and strategic planning, they will create a significant impact and competitive financial landscape in India.

Uday Mohan, managing director of Havas Media India, commented on the collaboration, stating, “Our agency will provide comprehensive media services across multiple channels, ensuring a synchronized and targeted communication strategy to effectively reach the desired audience.”

Meanwhile, the account will be led by Manish Sharma, managing partner – West, Havas Media India, Mumbai office.

Australia – Havas Media Melbourne has announced the appointment by Riviana Foods, part of SunRice group, across their Always Fresh and Toscano brands.

Havas Media will manage the media planning and implementation for both brands as part of the partnership. 

Riviana Foods is a proudly Australian-owned company with over 70 years as one of the country’s leading and most successful food importers. Part of the SunRice group of companies, collectively, these brands boast a portfolio of over 500 products across multiple food categories including rice, olive oil, condiments, and pasta.

Jacqui Vanderzeil, head of marketing & innovation at Riviana Foods, said, “Riviana Foods are very happy to announce the partnership with Havas Media on our two largest and much-loved retail brands within our portfolio, Always Fresh and Toscano. Together, the teams are looking forward to an exciting year ahead as we bring these brands out of the aisle and into consumers’ hearts, minds, and kitchens at home.”

“We are excited to be working with the Riviana Foods team on what will be their first above-the-line brand campaigns in a number of years. With great brands such as Always Fresh, Toscano, Fehlburgs and Rozas Gourmet, Havas Melbourne has the right mix of category experience with expert planning and implementation capability across all channels to help Riviana Foods drive growth,” Naomi Johnston, GM of Havas Media Melbourne said. 

Virginia Hyland, CEO of Havas Media Group, added, “We are excited to be working with Riviana Foods and extending our SunRice partnership in a market where FMCG brands are challenged to innovate to entice new consumers to their brands. Our Havas Media Melbourne team are going from strength to strength, a perfect blend of entrepreneurial thinking to delivering meaningful outcomes, backed by the global network. Delivering personalised service and smarts at a senior level.” 

The first campaign for Riviana Foods via Havas Media Melbourne will be rolled out in July 2023.

Australia – Havas Media has announced the promotion of Kevin Fernandes as its national head of partnerships and adtech across all media channels. The appointment coincides with the restructuring of the partnership team, where it fuses online and above-the-line channel planning and buying to focus on engaging with audiences across all channels in all formats.

The restructuring also emphasises the agency’s focus to find the greatest opportunity for marketers to engage audiences along the customer decision journey. Moreover, this allows more seamless delivery of integrated audience data collection and meaningful insights to be activated at speed across multiple media platforms to drive online or in-store purchases.

In his new role, Fernandes will be responsible for leading the newly merged team to develop integrated thinking across all channels. He previously worked as head of data solutions and adtech for Havas Media where he led the delivery of innovative client solutions across addressable and digital offerings. 

Virginia Hyland, chief executive officer at Havas Media Group, said that Fernandes’ promotion is their natural next step as the company experience the integration of digital and data employment across all media channels.

“I am looking forward to leading the team on our integrated digitisation journey, as we look to deliver solutions for the now and future. Utilising data points and technology to continue to evolve advertising innovation, efficiency, and effective results for our valued clients,” Fernandes added.

This month, Havas Media has also named Rebecca Tos as its new managing partner to lead the new Havas Market× business division.

Hong Kong – After a regional review involving eight network agencies, it’s Havas Media that ultimately snared the account of international financial services firm, Sun Life. Havas Media will now be officially the company’s agency of record (AOR) for its markets in Asia namely, Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. 

The agency’s remit includes providing regional strategic leadership, coordination and reporting, with full-funnel local advertising and SEO services. 

The partnership with Sun Life will be led by the Havas Regional Hub in Hong Kong and be supported by its local Havas offices. The media agency will also be partnering with advertising agency Invictus Blue and digital marketing agency First Page SEO in fulfilling its AOR role.

David Broom, chief client experience and marketing officer of Sun Life, commented that through its long-time provision of services to clients in Asia, it has become a trusted brand in the region.

He added, “As we continue to grow and as digitalisation and media consumption trends rapidly evolve, we required a partner that could help us both now and into the future. We are very pleased to partner with Havas Media and look forward to working together.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Cawte, managing director of Havas Media in Hong Kong, said that with the aim of winning the confidence of the Sun Life team, they have taken the time to understand its integrity and community values.

Cawte added, “Having such a long history in Asia, their credibility and customer understanding are unparalleled. We are really looking forward to helping them unlock their enormous potential, over the coming years.”

Singapore – Havas Media has announced that it has won the media mandate of sporting goods retailer Decathlon in Singapore. Through the mandate, the agency will be handling a slew of works, including integrated media planning and buying duties across traditional and digital channels. 

The mandate took effect immediately as of this writing.

Speaking on winning the mandate, Russell Lai, chief commercial officer at Havas Media Group Singapore, said, “Sports has become such an integral part of our lives, especially since the pandemic. As an agency who believes in the benefits of physical wellness, we are truly excited to help Decathlon in its mission to provide Singaporeans with more affordable sporting goods options. Increasing brand awareness and a focus on driving physical and e-store traffic will be key priorities.”

Meanwhile, Kieran O’Shea, marketing director at Decathlon Singapore, commented, “End of 2022 saw us going through a pitch process for the new media agency for Decathlon here in Singapore. Havas Media demonstrated innovative thinking in strategically breaking through this highly competitive landscape and proved strong performance for Decathlon already around the world. Therefore, we are looking forward to this new partnership together in 2023.”

Melbourne, Australia – Winemaking company Accolade Wines has appointed Havas Media Melbourne as its media agency, and will be managing its wine brands such as Grant Burge, Hardys, Petaluma, St Hallett, Croser, Houghton, Jam Shed and Yarra Burn.

The scope of work covers media strategy, planning and buying across the entire portfolio of brands and includes planning and buying for global campaigns off the back of early exceptional results from the agency.

Jack Glover, marketing director at Accolade Wines, said, “As we continue to stretch our marketing and digital capability at Accolade Wines, it was vital that we found a strategic media partner who intrinsically understands the complexity of today’s media market.” 

He added, “We were impressed by Havas’s ability to apply our own category insights with their audience and market expertise and tools to deliver unique and forward-thinking strategic solutions. We are incredibly excited about this partnership and look forward to delivering some game-changing campaigns with the team at Havas Media.”

Meanwhile, Naomi Johnston, general manager at Havas Media Melbourne, commented, “We’re incredibly thrilled to be working with Accolade. From day one of the pitch process, we were blown away by the thorough briefing process and collaborative approach to planning led by a clearly very talented marketing team. Since being appointed we’ve felt very much the trusted partner whose experience and expertise in the category has been incredibly valued.”

She added, “We’re looking forward to a long and collaborative partnership, delivering great business results across Accolade’s prestigious portfolio of brands both locally and internationally.”

Singapore – Asia’s home services brand, Urban Company, has handed its media mandate for Singapore to Havas Media, the media arm of the global marketing and communications group Havas. The mandate includes brand and performance marketing management. 

Urban Company is an all-in-one platform that helps users hire professionals for premium home services, from beauticians and masseurs to sofa cleaners, carpenters and technicians. All the professionals, though experienced and skilled, undergo intensive training modules before being allowed to list their services on the platform. Once on the platform, its match-making algorithm identifies professionals who are closest to the users’ requirements and available at the requested time and date. 

Joon Ming Yeo, Urban Company’s head of marketing, said, “Havas Media impressed us with their technical expertise as well as their commitment to understanding our business goals. We look forward to working together to improve Urban Company’s brand and performance activities to further grow the on-demand home services category in Singapore.”

Meanwhile, Louise Koh, Havas Media’s executive director for Singapore, commented that they are delighted to embrace the opportunity to help Urban Company further grow its penetration of millennial homeowners in Singapore. 

“We look forward to leveraging our full-funnel expertise to drive meaningful interactions for Urban Company’s consumers across all touchpoints as well as deliver a frictionless digital experience,” said Koh.

Sydney, Australia – Sydney-based business growth consultancy BeingIconic, which helps disruptive up-and-coming scale-ups to move into the mass market, has welcomed former Havas Media Chairman Mike Wilson as its non-executive director and strategic advisor as it readies for hyper growth for the business and its clients locally and globally.

Wilson joined BeingIconic recently, and since stepping down as Havas Media Chair in August last year, Wilson has taken on focused board roles, including at renowned influencer agency Hypetap.

The consultancy said Wilson’s appointment marks the end of BeingIconic’s search for like-minded individuals who can inject new life and valuable expertise into its highly dedicated and dynamic team.

“Mike is a long-standing friend of ours and someone we’re delighted to have on board,” said BeingIconic Partner and Chief Innovation Officer Ian Bell 

“We exist to help transition businesses throughout their scale-up journey. Recent clients include espresso Displays, CrowdProperty, Trendspek, Olinqua, Headsafe and BWX Brands (home to Flora & Fauna, Nourished Life and Sukin). Mike is both the perfect fit for us and our clients. He has a long history of founding, scaling, and acquiring media and creative businesses, and is an expert in industries that are critical to enabling our next stage of growth,” added Bell. 

Wilson has spent most of his career in marketing services and agencies, with a focus on communication and media. He also has significant management and leadership experience having cofounded Naked Communications in 2004 and launching Havas Media as founding CEO in 2013, becoming Chair in 2019.

With over 30 years of experience leading multi-disciplinary marketing communication and growth initiatives for world-leading consumer brands to his credit, Wilson shares his excitement to leap into a new landscape and leverage his experience to help BeingIconic fulfil its potential and grow clients.

“Getting involved in the investment community is something I’m thoroughly enjoying, and I’m seeing a lot of opportunities. The world is moving very fast postCOVID-19, particularly around tech products and services, and the BeingIconic skillset can be applied to multiple verticals,” Wilson said.

Wilson commented that there is massive momentum in Australia, the UK, Europe, and the US in terms of scale-ups, and that with the present connections and affiliations the consultancy has with UK businesses and trade organisations, they expect significant uptake in UK–Australia partnerships as they bring scale-ups to growth in both markets.

“Clearly, the mandate is to expand further internationally, but we are taking a deliberate, staged approach. Delivering from these bases into other markets is something the team already does at pace,” he added.

Sibon Schouten, founder of Mark’d Global and BeingIconic Board Advisor, welcomed Wilson to the fold.

“The team represents new and lateral thinking that is needed to succeed in an uncertain world, but one latent with new opportunities. By clashing the worlds of branding, business, and culture, they create what the future organisation must deliver – the triple bottom line based on people, planet, and profit. Collaborations with brands like Modibodi and Vanessa Megan show us what is possible if we continue on this path. I am excited to see industry veteran Mike Wilson join us to help businesses scale in Australia and beyond,” she said.