Havas Media launches in the UK

Havas Media is pulling together all of its UK operating businesses into a new Havas Media UK organisation.

Launching with immediate effect, Havas Media UK will include MPG (which also comprises London-based MPG International and digital, data and direct specialist Media Contacts); sports communication consultancy Havas Sports; integrated communications agency Arena BLM (which also includes its digital, data and direct specialist BLM Quantum); branded content and PR specialist Cake and digital agency archibald ingall stretton.

Mark Craze is the UK CEO of Havas Media, moving from being a managing partner at MPG UK. Marc Mendoza, also currently a managing partner, will now assume full day-to-day control of MPG UK, becoming CEO.

The board, chaired by Lord Watson, will include: Steve Booth, CEO Arena BLM; Jon Ingall, managing partner AIS; Mike Mathieson, CEO Cake, Keith Impey, CEO Havas Sports UK, Marc Mendoza, CEO MPG UK and Craze.

Alfonso Rodes, global CEO of Havas Media, said: “The UK is a vital market for us. The recent acquisitions allow us to build on our core skills of traditional and digital media by adding in cutting-edge thinking and delivery in areas such as advertiser-funded content, experiential, PR and event marketing.

“I am convinced that we are creating a new model of a full-service media network for the UK: one that is rich in award-winning talent everywhere you look, bursting with creativity and innovation and is defined by a spirit of collaboration in a distinctive entrepreneurial culture.”

Earlier today, Havas announced organic revenue growth of 1.5% for the third quarter of 2008, down from 9.5% growth for the same period last year (see Havas reports Q3 organic revenue growth).

Havas Media: www.havasmedia.com