Ad agency Havas has acquired public affairs and strategic communications consultancy Australian Public Affairs (APA).
The firm will be renamed H/Advisors APA.
Founded 27 years ago by Tracey Cain, APA will become part of H/Advisors, Havas’ global strategic communications advisory network. This will be H/Advisors’ first owned operation in Australia and an important next step in its strategic growth plan across the APAC region.
Working alongside other agencies in the network, H/Advisors APA’s insight-driven strategic counsel will add expertise and geographic reach to the network’s global clients as they continue to expand across borders. It will also further strengthen Havas’ presence in Australia, adding new capabilities to better serve its clients.
The local leadership team that includes CEO Tracey Cain, deputy CEO Phil McCall, and CFO Kathryn Higgs will continue in their roles.
Yannick Bolloré, chairman and global CEO of Havas and chairman of Vivendi, said APA as part of Havas and H/Advisors will further accelerate the agency's plans for developing public affairs, financial PR and strategic communications offering across the APAC region.
"We are delighted to welcome the talent, experience and smarts of Tracey and her team to our Havas family," Bolloré said.
Tracey Cain, chief executive officer of Australian Public Affairs and H/Advisors APA, said for nearly three decades her team has built APA as a high quality, evidence-based firm.
"The logical next step for us is to partner with Havas and H/Advisors to expand the services offered and the reach of our client base," Cain said.
"We have ambitious plans and are excited to take the next step with H/Advisors and the broader Havas family.”
James Wright, group CEO Havas creative network Australia, said as the Australian consulting landscape reforms amid recent crises, opportunity is emerging for strong, capable and values driven global challengers that bring local knowledge and smart thinking.
"With complementary skills and alignment, H/Advisors APA will be perfectly positioned to fulfil requirements of corporates, governments and NFPs in need of a new approach," Wright said.
"We look forward to integrating Tracey and her team into the Havas Village in the coming months.”
Neil Bennett and Tom Johnson, global co-CEOs of H/Advisors, said the group’s strategy of adding leading strategic communications advisory firms in the core financial capitals around the world and growing them continues with this exciting new partnership.
"Not only is APA widely respected as the leading public affairs agency in Australia, the firm’s platform and growth ambitions will play a critical role for us as we look to expand our presence throughout the APAC region," Bennett and Johnson said.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.