Havas Play inks strategic partnership with SGSE
Gurugram, 11th June 2024: Havas Play, Havas Media Network’s global brand dedicated to earning consumers’ attention and creating enduring business impact through meaningful experiences at the intersection of entertainment, sports, technology, and fandom, has entered a strategic partnership in India with SG Sports, Media and Entertainment (SGSE), an arm of the APL Apollo Group. SGSE, helmed by tennis icon Mahesh Bhupathi as Chief Executive Officer, is committed to elevating the Indian sports and entertainment landscape by creating world class properties and unforgettable experiences.
SGSE has teams representing it at some of India’s biggest sporting events including Global Chess League (Alpine SG Pipers), Ultimate Table Tennis League (Ahmedabad SG Pipers), Super League Kerala (Kochi Pipers), Indian Supercross Racing League (SG Speed Racers), and Madhya Pradesh League (Jabalpur Lions) for which the inaugural season is expected to kick-off in June 2024.
This collaboration is a significant step for Havas Play as it continues to harness and enhance fandom experiences following several recent successful activations including the Ganga Kinare Music Festival in Varanasi that focussed on conserving River Ganga for future generations, the Maritime 10k Challenge in Mumbai that sought to galvanise individuals and corporations alike towards a cleaner and healthier marine ecosystem and, most recently, facilitating the strategic collaboration between IPL team Lucknow Super Giants and Valvoline as its Official Lubricant Partner.
As part of the strategic partnership, Havas Play will assist SGSE in executing premium entertainment and sports IPs spanning football, squash, hockey, chess, table tennis & tennis.
Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO, SGSE, said,
“We have always had a clear vision on building a comprehensive and sustainable sports and entertainment story and believe it is the right time to do this at scale in India. We look forward to working closely with Havas Play and tapping into their extensive network to make this happen.”
R. Venkatasubramanian, Chief Operating Officer, Havas Play said,
“Embarking on this strategic journey with SGSE, a visionary in the sports and entertainment realm, is a testament to Havas Play’s commitment to elevating meaningful experiences and fostering innovation in the country’s cultural landscape. With Mahesh Bhupathi’s leadership and our shared vision, we’re poised to create immersive fan engagements through premium IPs, reshaping India’s sports and entertainment ecosystem for generations to come.”
SGSE is committed to developing a premium and sustainable sports & entertainment ecosystem in India and has created a robust framework to further this vision, centred on 6 critical pillars:
- Owning Sports Franchisees that will elevate the sports space in India
- Creating Sports Leagues by developing franchise-based leagues of popular sports in association with the national sports federations
- Fantasy properties that will redefine fantasy sports and create a platform where fans can truly experience the thrill of games and connect with their passion
- Live Entertainment that brings the biggest international music stars to India
- Curating Content for enhanced fan and community engagement
- Academies and Talent to empower grassroots sports that will be led by top national coaches. SGSE is enhancing community sports infrastructure nationwide by establishing state-of-the-art facilities led by elite national coaches. These academies will serve as hubs for identifying and nurturing talented young athletes, paving the way for their progression to national and international levels of achievement.
About Havas Play:
Havas Play puts brands at the heart of music, sports, gaming, and fandom. The network is founded on the belief that all brands – from the arts and tech to healthcare and consumer goods – can earn attention and create enduring business impact by activating consumers’ passions. With unparalleled connections to the most impactful cultural influences and a bespoke approach to data and measurement that assesses the total cultural experience of activation, Havas Play is uniquely positioned to deliver meaningful experiences across partnerships, influencer marketing, experiential & live events, sponsorships, social media activation & amplification, and branded entertainment. Havas Play enables brands around the world to Play like never before.
For more information, visit https://www.havasplay.com/ & follow Havas Play on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Havas Singapore elevates Kenny Yap to lead Havas Play as new chief operating officer
As part of its ongoing expansion, Havas Singapore has promoted Kenny Yap to the position of chief operating officer for Havas Play, the specialised division within Havas Media Network.
In his new role, Yap will lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives and partnerships, driving sustained growth and innovation while managing commercial and operational responsibilities. Also, part of his key priority will be expanding Havas Play’s presence throughout Southeast Asia.
Since joining Havas Singapore in 2017 as managing director, Yap has been pivotal in achieving consistent double-digit growth for the agency. He has developed a unique offering that seamlessly integrates social media, content, public relations, influencer marketing, and social media commerce. Under his leadership, the agency has significantly expanded its client roster and garnered numerous accolades, including multiple ‘Agency of the Year’ awards.
Yap will work closely with Russell Lai, chief commercial officer of Havas Media Network Singapore, and both will continue to report to Rana Barua, the group CEO for India, Southeast Asia, and North Asia at Havas.
Speaking on the appointment, Barua shared,
“Kenny has been a key member of our leadership team in Singapore, significantly enhancing the agency’s capabilities and leading to numerous new business successes. We have ambitious plans for Havas Media Network in this region, and Havas Play will be key to expanding our diverse capabilities into sports, events, culture, and multiple IPs that connect with brands and consumers, allowing us to make an effective difference and deliver impactful results. Both Russell and Kenny will continue to drive growth for the agency, working closely with me.”
Also commenting on his new role, Yap said,
“I’m humbled by the recognition and excited about the growth plans for Havas Play. We have such an amazing playground of talent, intelligence, and data that enables us to offer our clients a comprehensive suite of integrated services. In addition, we have strategic alliances in the pipeline to enhance and elevate our capabilities. As we continue to scale the core business, we will amplify our efforts in additional areas such as sports, entertainment, sponsorships, and activations, creating a greater meaningful difference for our clients and audience.”
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