Havas has acquired a majority holding in Acento Public Affairs, one of Spain’s foremost public affairs consultancies, led by co-CEOs Alfonso Alonso and Pepe Blanco. Established in 2019, Acento has grown rapidly and today employs more than 50 professionals across offices in Madrid, Barcelona, and Brussels.
Following the acquisition, Acento will be integrated into H/Advisors, Havas’ global communications and public affairs advisory network. The firm will rebrand as H/Advisors and continue to operate under the leadership of Alonso and Blanco, while expanding its international advisory capabilities in Spain through collaboration with H/Advisors’ network of 1,500 experts across 50 offices worldwide.
The move forms part of H/Advisors’ broader global expansion, which has included recent acquisitions such as Gauly Advisors in Germany, Cunha Vaz & Associados (CV&A) in Portugal, Australian Public Affairs (APA) in Australia, and Klareco Communications in Singapore. H/Advisors has been present in Spain since 2022 following the acquisition of Tinkle.
Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO of Havas, stated: “Spain and Portugal are strong markets for Havas, and we are very proud to mark this new phase of leadership for H/Advisors together with our colleagues at Acento, Cunha Vaz, and Tinkle. We are thrilled to welcome Alfonso, Pepe and the entire team at Acento to the Havas family. They will set the benchmark in strategic advisory communications for other regions.”
Alfonso Alonso, Co-CEO of Acento, commented: “Joining H/Advisors represents the next natural step for us, and we feel very much at home as we share the same vision, values, and commitment to senior-level advisory for clients operating in complex environments.” He added, “We are becoming part of a major multinational group that is firmly committed to top-tier public affairs, allowing us to become truly global.”
European public affairs remains a priority for H/Advisors. Over the past year, the network has opened a new headquarters in Brussels, bringing together teams from Acento Brussels and Gauly Advisors, reinforcing its presence at the heart of the European Union.
Stéphane Fouks, Executive Chairman of H/Advisors and Executive Vice President of Havas, added: “This acquisition is a strong way to start the year and reflects the momentum of H/Advisors as we look toward 2026. Public affairs and strategic communications are increasingly central in helping our clients navigate political, regulatory, and reputational complexity. Strengthening our leadership in Spain and Europe, alongside continued investment in priority growth markets such as the United States, is essential to our ambition to build a truly international advisory group.”
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