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Havas Group Buys Mumbai-Based Experiential Agency

Shobiz is the third acquisition in India in a year for the French communications firm, Havas Group. A multi-disciplinary experiential communications agency, Shobiz boasts of over 142 recurring clients from sectors including IT, automotive, FMCG, c...

Mumbai: French communications network Havas Group has picked up a majority stake in India’s first and leading experiential agency Shobiz Experiential Communications.

Founded in 1982, the Mumbai-headquartered Shobiz has five offices and 300 professionals across India. Over the past two years, the company’s topline has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of over 20%.

“India has increasingly become a priority for Havas, and even more so over the past 12 months,” said Yannick Bolloré, chairman and CEO, Havas Group, who had set a growth plan to treble the agency’s footprint in India. Shobiz boasts of over 142 recurring clients from sectors including IT, automotive, FMCG, corporate, BFSI, healthcare and media.

“Shobiz marks an important capability addition to the group’s presence in the market — it makes our value proposition as a village more holistic than ever and enables us to bring this service capability to our current clients and future prospects,” said Vishnu Mohan, chairman & CEO, Havas Group India & South East Asia.

After the acquisition, Sameer Tobaccowala, CEO, Shobiz, will continue to oversee the business along with Mohan. The daily operations will be led by Tejpal Singh Patpatia, COO, Shobiz, who will now report into Rana Barua, CEO, Havas Group India.

“Shobiz’s acquisition adds an enviable strength to Havas Group with its forte in the experiential space,” Barua said.

A multi-disciplinary experiential communications agency, Shobiz offers strategic planning, communication & content design, creative, graphic & architectural design, audience acquisition, production and logistics.

“We are confident that this collaboration will unlock unprecedented growth opportunities for us and forge stronger consumer connections that foster trust, loyalty and business results,” said Tobaccowala.

With Shobiz, Havas Group has completed its third acquisition in India within a span of just one year. Earlier in May, Havas Group had acquired Think Design, a leading independent user experience consultancy and design studio, followed by the acquisition of Langoor, a full-service digital agency led and driven by creative technologists in September this year.

Source : Economic Times