Havas Announces Majority Stake in Klareco Communications

Havas has revealed that it has paid an undisclosed amount to acquire a majority stake in Klareco Communications. The most reputable corporate, financial, and strategic communications consultant in Southeast Asia, Klareco Communications is a Singapore-based organization. Havas determined that the Singapore-based organization would be the best place to start the long-term APAC expansion of H/Advisors, its strategic communications advisory division. H/Advisors Klareco will be the new name of Klareco Communications upon closing.

Havas acquires a majority stake

The acquisition takes place at a moment when the importance of a company’s reputation is greater than ever. Global reputation protection and strategic communication are more important than ever as institutions and individuals deal with complex challenges brought on by geopolitical events, technological advancements, and climate change.

Singapore- the global hub for innovation and business development

Acknowledged as a worldwide center for innovation and business growth, Singapore will play a pivotal role in helping H/Advisors guide its global clientele through this macroeconomic landscape. Using its integrated Village approach, it will also further solidify Havas’ presence in Singapore and add new capabilities to better serve its clientele. Klareco Communications’ inclusion is a significant advancement in H/Advisors’ strategic expansion plan. Renowned for its award-winning work across the entire communications spectrum, the agency is a trusted advisor to top multinational corporations and Asian-based businesses. It has advised on some of Singapore’s biggest financial transactions, protected and enhanced corporate reputations, and addressed the most difficult business challenges, including cyberattacks.

H/Advisors previous acquisitions

This new addition is a major achievement for H/Advisors in the wake of the successful launch of H/Advisors in Dubai earlier this year and the recent acquisition of Cunha Vas & Associados, a leading PR and communications consultancy in Portugal, and Australian Public Affairs, a renowned and successful public affairs agency in Australia. It has made a name for itself as a pioneer in public affairs, transformation advisory, and financial communications. This calculated move is in line with the growing demand from clients looking for all-encompassing, diversified support during their journey of transformation.

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Restructured Roles

After restructuring in less than a year, H/Advisors has grown into a vibrant international network with 1500 specialists spread across 23 countries. H/Advisors Klareco and its senior management group will play a major role in the strategic advisory network. CEO and co-founder Ang Shih-Huei and managing director and co-founder Mark Worthington comprise the local leadership. They will join the Asia board to assist in guiding and leading the expansion of H/Advisors in Asia-Pacific.

Here’s what they said

Yannick Bolloré, chairman and Global CEO, Havas, and chairman, Vivendi, said,

Our partnership with Klareco allows us to draw on their breadth of experience and knowledge of the Asian market as we continue to expand our Havas presence in APAC. We are delighted to welcome the well-respected Klareco team onboard and look forward to achieving great things together.

Stéphane Fouks, executive chairman, H/Advisors, and vice president, Havas added,

2023 has been an outstanding year of growth for H/Advisors, with the opening of our Dubai office and the acquisitions of CV&A (Portugal) & APA (Australia) and now our partnership with Klareco, which will strengthen our offering not only in APAC but globally. Klareco is the leading communications advisory in Southeast Asia, and we are delighted to welcome Shih-Huei, Mark and the talent and experience they will bring to H/Advisors.

Ang Shih-Huei, CEO and co-founder of H/Advisors Klareco commented,

As an independent firm, we have already been working with some of the largest MNCs and leading Asian headquartered companies. H/Advisors allows us to deepen our core communications offering across corporate, financial, digital and public affairs, and expand our expertise in fast growing areas such as sustainability and change communications, to ensure we continue to deliver best practice for our clients. Our teams are excited for this new chapter ahead.

Mark Worthington, managing director and co-founder of H/Advisors Klareco stated,

We are delighted to partner with H/Advisors to enhance our standing as a landing point for international firms coming to, or expanding in Asia. Increasingly, boards and management face complex communications challenges as they expand internationally. We are excited to build on our offering to support these challenges, ensuring we have expertise and relationships in the markets our clients need.

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