31 July 2024
Havas Acquires Leading Australian Media Agency Hotglue
Havas today announces that it has entered into binding documents to acquire Hotglue, a market-leading independent media agency and creative production company, as part of its strategic growth plans in the Australian market. The acquisition is the latest step from Havas to accelerate its Converged global strategy and the transition to an even more client-centric, audience first, integrated approach. This move will elevate Havas’ capabilities in delivering advanced media and activation solutions throughout the customer decision journey. Additionally, it addresses marketers’ increasing needs for integrated thinking to develop ideas that maximise consumer engagement across diverse media and eCommerce channels.
Established to act as the “glue” that binds it all together, Hotglue is highly aligned with Havas’ integrated model. Their addition to the Havas Village Australia, enhances and further extends 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, eCommerce, media and activation functions.
Upon closing of the transaction, which is subject to customary conditions precedent, the new Havas Media Melbourne team will be led by Hotglue esteemed founders – Nick Smith, Lewis Hearn and Matt Hearn. The combined team will comprise over 65 professionals within the Melbourne agency, providing greater scale and further growth opportunities for the teams of both agency brands. This will take the Havas presence in Melbourne to over 120 staffers across media, creative, PR, health and digital project management.
Founded in 2010, Hotglue has gained significant recognition for its integrated social, digital, media and content services, which have driven success for clients in the beauty, retail, FMCG, automotive and finance sectors to achieve their business growth goals. Hotglue has scaled rapidly over the past five years and proudly counts among its clients leading brands such as L’Oreal, Bulla Dairy, Dulux, Transurban, Sorbent, Thirsty Camel, ISPT, Starward Whisky, IVECO, Walkinshaw, Tempur and LaTrobe Financial.
“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”.Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO, Havas.