What Havas Media Network does

Havas Media Network is the media, data, and technology arm of Havas N.V., a publicly listed company on Euronext Amsterdam since its December 2024 spinoff from Vivendi. Founded in 1835 and headquartered in Puteaux, France, the network operates with 10,000+ media specialists across 140+ countries organized into five sub-brands: Havas Media (the flagship 8,500+-person media planning and buying network present in 80+ countries), Arena Media (1,500+-person boutique integrated agency), Havas Market (e-commerce and retail media across 27 countries with 600+ retail media experts), Havas Play (entertainment, sports, and culture activation across 21 countries with 300+ experts), and CSA (data and analytics consultancy with 400+ experts across 20+ locations). These sub-brands are unified under Converged.AI, the proprietary AI-powered operating system that connects data, technology, and AI workflows across the entire network's 23,000-person talent pool within the broader Havas Group.

The network generates revenue through professional services — primarily media planning and buying commissions, data and analytics consulting (CSA), e-commerce and marketplace management (Havas Market), and entertainment/sports activation (Havas Play) — serving 3,000+ enterprise clients including Samsung, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal, LVMH, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Hyundai (via INNOCEAN), KFC, Sanofi, and Decathlon. Its underlying technology stack includes Converged.AI as the orchestration layer, AVA as a secure LLM access portal built on Ekino's agentic foundation, Vermeer.ai for generative AI production, and Match.AI for audience targeting across Teads' 2.5-billion-consumer network. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales through competitive pitches and long-term client relationships, with significant new business momentum reflected in $1.38B in 2025 contract wins and 1,000+ new account additions. Q1 2026 net revenue of €638M (+2.5% organic growth) and full-year guidance of 2.0%–3.0% organic growth with 13.2%–13.5% adjusted EBIT margin indicate a multi-billion-euro top-line at healthy holding-company margins.

Name

Havas Media Network

Legal name

Havas SA

Website

https://havasmedianetwork.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1835

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Havas Media Network is the global media, data, and technology arm of Havas N.V., operating across 140+ countries with 10,000+ specialists under five sub-brands (Havas Media, Arena Media, Havas Market, Havas Play, CSA) unified by the proprietary Converged.AI platform. It serves 3,000+ enterprise clients with media planning, buying, analytics, e-commerce, and entertainment marketing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media and Advertising Services

NAICS

Media Buying Agencies (54183), Media Buying Agencies (541830)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Data Platform & Audience Insights (CDP, Data Warehouse, Attribution) (MPAHAJAN)

Keywords

• Media planning buying
• Programmatic advertising
• Data analytics consulting
• Retail media commerce
• Entertainment marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Media Planning and Buying Services: Full-service media agency offering including media planning, buying, analytics and consultancy across global markets. Revenue generated through service fees and media commissions from client budgets.
2. Data and Analytics Consulting: CSA provides end-to-end data and technology solutions including measurement, attribution, brand diagnosis, customer analytics, market simulation, creative testing, and AI implementation
3. E-commerce and Commerce Connectivity: Havas Market delivers commerce solutions including marketplace management, fulfillment, content optimization, paid performance across marketplaces and DTC channels
4. Entertainment and Cultural Marketing: Havas Play provides branded content, experiential marketing, sports and entertainment sponsorship activation, social and influencer marketing services

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Havas Media Network is the media, data, and technology arm of Havas, operating a global media experience network with 10,000+ specialists across 140+ countries. The company delivers media planning, media buying, analytics, consultancy, e-commerce connectivity, entertainment and sports activation, and data/AI solutions through five agency brands (Havas Media, Arena Media, Havas Market, Havas Play, CSA), unified under its proprietary Converged.AI operating system.

Product overview

Havas Media Network is the media, data, and technology arm of Havas, operating as a global media experience network with 10,000+ specialists across 140+ countries. The network comprises five core agency brands: Havas Media (the flagship media planning/buying network present in 80+ countries), Arena Media (boutique integrated agency with 1,500+ professionals), Havas Market (global e-commerce and retail media proposition across 27 countries), Havas Play (entertainment/sports/culture activation across 21 countries), and CSA (data and analytics consultancy with 400+ experts). These are unified under Converged.AI, Havas' proprietary AI operating system that connects data, technology, and AI across the entire network. Supporting platforms include AVA (LLM access portal), Vermeer.ai (generative AI production), and Vurvey Labs (agentic consumer research). The integrated model delivers media strategy, activation, commerce, data & tech, and measurement at global scale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Converged.AI: Proprietary AI platform connecting 23,000 people across Havas' media, creative, production and technology divisions
• Vermeer.ai
• AVA
• Match.AI
• Meaningful Brands

Products and services

• Havas Media Largest agency network within Havas Media Network, providing end-to-end media planning, media buying, analytics, and consultancy services for global enterprises across 80+ countries with 8,500+ professionals.
• Arena Media Boutique integrated media agency with 1,500+ employees across LATAM, Europe, North America and APAC, delivering outcome-driven integrated media campaigns for brands.
• Havas Market Full-service global e-commerce and commerce connectivity proposition spanning 27 countries with 200+ e-commerce consultants and 600+ retail media experts, delivering connected commerce experiences across marketplaces, DTC channels, social commerce and digital drive-to-store.
• Havas Play Global entertainment, sports, and culture activation network across 21+ countries with 300+ experts, activating brands through branded entertainment, sponsorship, experiential marketing, gaming and strategic cultural partnerships.
• CSA (Customer Science Agency) Global data and analytics consultancy with 400+ experts across 20+ locations, offering end-to-end measurement, attribution, brand diagnosis, customer analytics, market simulation, creative testing, and AI implementation services.
• Health Equity Marketplace Curated media solution for pharmaceutical and healthcare brands to reach patients in underserved communities and health deserts across North America, providing brand-safe, privacy-first inventory and targeting capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Brands building desire deliver 2.2x more fame, +87% pricing power, 2.4x more sustained growth (Science of Desire research, 87,500+ respondents)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers38 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability11 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, acquisition, industry, key account, technology partner and research.

• SkaicoreTechnology or Integration · 25 June 2026Integration of Skai into Converged.AI to redefine retail media capabilities. Enhancing retail media planning and activation within Havas' AI ecosystem.
• ViantcoreTechnology or Integration · 24 June 2026Partnership to bring the Attention Marketplace to life for brands demanding more. Integration with Converged.AI for enhanced audience targeting and measurement.
• Vurvey LabsstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Havas increased investment in Vurvey Labs as lead investor in Series B funding round. Vurvey builds synthetic audiences from AI agent-conducted consumer interviews. Enables brands to test products, messaging and campaigns. Part of €400M data, technology and AI investment commitment through 2027.
• AkkiocoreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2026Strategic partnership with Akkio, leader in AI-powered infrastructure for media agencies. Accelerating the agentic layer of Converged.AI, enabling teams to model scenarios faster, analyze more granular data and surface decisions where human judgment matters most.
• ArchrivalacquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Acquisition of culture and sports marketing agency to accelerate development of Havas Play in North America.
• PubMaticcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 June 2026Partnership to launch Spain's first agentic CTV advertising campaign for Telefónica's Movistar brand. Uses PubMatic's AgenticOS AI operating system to automate programmatic media buying. Campaign delivered 18% lower CPM vs target and 23% more impressions than target, with 80% reduction in setup time.
• TeadscoreTechnology or Integration · 2 June 2026Integration of Teads' Audience Planning API into Havas Media Network's Converged.AI platform, enabling planners to activate audiences directly from Havas' planning environment into Teads Ad Manager. Live across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and US. Powered by Match.AI reaching 2.5B consumers across 10,000+ premium global supply partners.
• StyleheadsacquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026Acquisition of leading Berlin-based agency recognized for cultural marketing, creator relations, and live activations. Joined Havas Media Network in Germany to expand Havas Play capabilities.
• Ctrl DigitalacquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Acquisition of Sweden's leading specialist in measurement, analytics, and data activation. Joined CSA marking official CSA launch in Sweden and the Nordics.
• IAB (Project Eidos)industryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Havas Media Network participating in IAB Project Eidos initiative to fundamentally modernize advertising measurement. Initiative aims to replace channel-by-channel approaches with interoperable, privacy-resilient standards. Buy-side believes AI-driven improvements could unlock $32 billion in value within 1-2 years.
• INNOCEANkey accountStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Renewed global media partnership to manage Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands across Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Effective January 2026. Emphasizes data-driven media performance using Havas Media Network's Converged.AI operating model to enhance customer acquisition, conversion, and retention.
• Ekinotechnology partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Developed the agentic foundation for AVA, Havas' secure AI platform providing access to LLMs across the Group.
• DigizikacquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2025Acquisition of Belgian entertainment agency. Rebranded as DIGIZIK by Havas Play. Expands presence in Belgium's entertainment and culture-led marketing space. Combines creative expertise with AI-driven technology to enhance entertainment marketing and cultural storytelling.
• SnapresearchStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025Joint study with Alter Agents and Havas Media Network on Gen Z car buying behavior. Finding: Half of Gen Z buyers made their last vehicle purchase online. Highlights growing role of social media, creators, and AR in car buying decisions.
• Alter AgentsresearchStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025Joint study with Snap and Havas Media Network on Gen Z car buying behavior. Finding: Half of Gen Z buyers made their last vehicle purchase online. Research highlights shifting automotive purchase patterns.
• UnnestacquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025Acquisition expanding Havas data expertise through Unnest capabilities.
• DeepIntentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025Health Equity Marketplace partnership to help pharmaceutical and healthcare brands reach patients in underserved communities and health deserts across North America. Platform provides brand-safe, privacy-first inventory leveraging real-world clinical, consumer, and geographic data.
• KaimeraacquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2024Acquisition of independent media agency with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and team in Auckland. Expanding Havas' presence in Australia and New Zealand. Supports deployment of Converged.AI. Operates as 'Kaimera, a Havas Company'.
• TED ConsultingacquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2024Acquisition of French data consultancy firm TED Consulting specializing in digital transformation and AI-powered hyper-automation. Founder Mathias Chaumon and team joining Havas to enhance data and AI offerings. Supports clients' operational transformation through automation and AI solutions.
• Ledger BennettacquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2024Acquisition of UK-based global B2B marketing agency to enhance capabilities and global reach. Operates across EMEA, APAC, and North America. Known for 'Forever Customer' proposition. Integrated into Havas Media Network as 'Ledger Bennett, a Havas Company'.
• Prose on Pixelstechnology partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Developed Vermeer.ai, Havas' proprietary gen-AI production solution that has evolved into a flexible, technology-agnostic creative ecosystem.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Accenture Song: Accenture Song is the creative and technology services arm of Accenture, increasingly competing with Havas for integrated marketing and commerce engagements, particularly with large enterprise clients seeking consulting-led marketing transformation.
• Havas Creative Network: Havas Creative Network is the sister creative/advertising arm of Havas N.V. (parent of Havas Media Network), sharing the Converged.AI platform and 23,000+ headcount. While not a direct competitor, it operates within the same holding company and competes for the same integrated client mandates from a creative-led position.
• Stagwell: Stagwell is a publicly listed digital-first marketing holding company offering media, communications, and data services through brands including Assembly, ForwardPMX, and Anomaly. It competes with Havas Media Network for mid-market and digitally-led mandates.

Direct peers

• Omnicom Group: Omnicom operates Omnicom Media Group (OMG), including Hearts & Science, PHD, and OMD, and competes with Havas Media Network for enterprise media mandates. Similar global holding-company structure with comparable client roster across CPG, automotive, and pharma.
• Publicis Groupe: Publicis is the second-largest global advertising holding company, with media agency brands including Starcom, Zenith, and Spark Foundry under Publicis Media. It competes head-to-head with Havas Media Network across media planning, buying, and data services globally.
• GroupM (WPP): GroupM is WPP's media investment group, encompassing Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and GroupM Nexus. It is the single largest direct competitor to Havas Media Network's core media planning/buying offering globally.
• Interpublic Group (IPG Mediabrands): IPG owns Mediabrands (Initiative, UM, Mediabrands Precision) and FCB, competing directly with Havas Media Network for global AORs and integrated media mandates. Highly comparable in offering, scale, and client base.
• Dentsu: Dentsu is the largest Japan-based global advertising holding company, operating Dentsu Media and Merkle for international clients. It competes directly with Havas Media Network in global pitches and ranked ahead of Havas in COMvergence's 2025 New Business rankings.
• WPP plc: WPP is the world's largest advertising/media holding company, operating GroupM and a network of global agencies including Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and Ogilvy. It directly competes with Havas Media Network for global AOR pitches and shares the same enterprise client roster.

Emerging players

• S4 Capital / MediaMonks: MediaMonks (now operating under S4/Monks) is a digital-first content, media, and data agency competing with Havas Media Network's digital and commerce mandates. It is smaller than Havas but represents the digitally native, tech-enabled agency model that Havas's Converged.AI competes against.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/havas-media-network

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A9 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Havas Media Network