Havas Media Group has today announced the acquisition of market-leading independent media agency, HYLAND, as part of the Group’s strategic plans across ANZ to provide a diverse and progressive media offering to new and existing clients and offer a more distinct proposition in the increasingly sophisticated media landscape.
HYLAND’s specialists will integrate into Havas Media Group to form a bigger and even more dynamic team with an extensive set of skills and in-depth knowledge base. The new team will see the media group reach a milestone of over 100 people in the Sydney office with the increased scale providing further growth opportunities for staff from both agency brands.
Founded in 2005, HYLAND has constantly expanded and is today renowned for creating highly integrated, content-rich experiences working with luxury, beauty, travel, B2B and lifestyle brands which will complement Havas Media Group’s client portfolio and its broad service offering along with its deep data and performance marketing capabilities. HYLAND’s client portfolio includes COTY, Etihad Airways, Sydney Airport, Deliveroo and Church & Dwight.
Peter Mears, global CEO, Havas Media Group, said: “HYLAND’s integrated approach to media aligns with Havas Media Group’s philosophy of creating meaningful media experiences (Mx) – a process that goes beyond the basics of reach and frequency to combine the right connections, context and content to influence consumer behaviour. We are thrilled to have them join the group.”
Mike Wilson, chairman, Havas Media Group, ANZ, said: “I have known Virginia for 20 years and she is one of the smartest operators I know. She has built a great team around her, who have a great pedigree for delivering consistent, high-quality outputs and results for clients, which has been key to the agency’s ongoing success.”
Matt Houltham, CEO, Havas Media Group, ANZ, noted: “Bringing HYLAND into the Havas Media Group is great news especially in today’s environment. It gives us further scale to continue on our growth trajectory and enhances our ability to deliver the broadest range of media and content experiences for our clients. It also provides further stability to clients at a time when they need it most.”
Virginia Hyland, founder and CEO, HYLAND, added: “I am excited for the HYLAND team to be joining forces with Havas. The decision to form this partnership was one of the biggest I’ve ever had to make. In choosing Havas Media Group, I know we have found a partner that will continue to celebrate our agility and creative team spirit, illustrated already through Havas’ history of acquiring and embracing entrepreneurial businesses.
“In the new COVID world we can continue to do great work that delivers success for clients whilst accessing a greater pool of resource and capabilities. Both businesses enjoy similar values and philosophies and our centres of excellence are extremely complementary, which will provide an amazing one stop destination for marketers looking for an alternative integrated agency approach.”
The HYLAND team will move into the Havas Village in Sydney next month as a division within Havas Media Group with Virginia Hyland, taking the role of Managing Director, Hyland Division, working alongside Mike Wilson, Chairman, Havas Media Group ANZ and Matt Houltham, CEO, Havas Media Group ANZ, on the agency’s senior leadership team.