Details 16 February 2021
Vivendi-owned Havas Group has acquired Singapore-born independent agency BLKJ to create BLKJ Havas - an agency whose stated ambition is to create un-advertising out of Singapore from regional and global brands.
BLKJ was founded four years ago by former DDB talent Rowena Bhagchandani, and creative partners Khalid Osman, Lester Lee, and Joji Jacob. The agency has over the years prided itself in what it calls “un-advertising - work that didn’t walk, talk, or could be pigeon-holed as mere advertising”.
Some of the notable work BLKJ created include the Fastest network for StarHub, Lifeproof Crew work for Great Eastern and the Love, Translated piece created during the peak of COVID-19.
Havas boss confirms acquisitions on the horizon in Singapore and India Details 11 February 2021
As 2021 takes over in full swing, Havas is looking to make a notable acquisition in Singapore which will happen in the upcoming weeks. In a session organised by the French Chamber of Commerce, Yannick Bollore (pictured), CEO of Havas said Singapore is a key focus for the company to build upon.
He said: “We have a great team in Singapore, and we will be closing an acquisition which will be announced in the coming weeks. We believe Singapore will grow and will remain as a hub for international companies here in Asia.”
From a quieter agency, we have now become an agile network: Rana Barua Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India, claims the agency, in the last two years, has transformed into an integrated network with many new clients across the group by
Updated: Feb 1, 2021 3:40 PM
As Havas Group goes through a series of churns in the last few weeks, we speak to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India about the reporting to global leadership, their struggle with pandemic, recovery and much more. Below are edited excerpts:-
Q: Let’s start with the latest talking points. Havas was in the news twice last week, earlier for some key elevations in India and most recently for Vishnu’s resignation. Meanwhile, you have now been asked to report to the global CEO. Can you share more details of the recent changes and the strategy behind these developments?