Havas Media Acquires PivotRoots, Reiterates M&A Focus

As Havas looks to reassert some of the early steps it had taken towards integration and making a meaningful difference, Havas Media Network articulates three areas that remain central to its growth strategy. These include mergers and acquisitions to increase footprint and skills, diversification of services and optimising its core brand.

Peter Mears, Global CEO, Havas Media Network, recapped some of the work done in the year gone in a conversation at the ongoing Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and pointed out towards some of the acquisitions done in China and Australia among others. India too joins the league this year with the acquisition of Mumbai-headquartered digital marketing and advertising agency, PivotRoots. “We would be announcing one more soon,” Mears says.

While diversifying its services, performance marketing, ecommerce and Havas Play are some of the big focal areas for the agency. Havas Media has built on its commerce capabilities, where it is now present in 23 different markets in the world with etail experts.

“Havas Play is the third area of focus. It helps our clients at the intersection of culture and technology, where our relationship with Vivendi comes into play and gives us a distinct advantage,” Mears explains.

Replying to how Havas Media Network is optimising its core business, Mears says, “We do this through tech, machine learning and artificial intelligence. We have invested significantly in our core product and modifying it. But more than that, we have invested heavily in talent. Because it is good to have the tools but they are wasted without the human effort. Our product continues to go from strength to strength.”