Havas has acquired an Australian lobbying firm

Global communications company has increased its Australian footprint, acquiring a local lobbying firm whose senior management will stay on.

Havas Australia Creative Group CFO Pin Dong, H/Advisors APA CEO Tracey Cain and Group CEO Havas Creative Network Australia James Wright. Picture: Supplied

Lobbying outfit Australian Public Affairs has been acquired by global communications firm Havas, and will be integrated into its H/Advisors business.

APA was founded by Tracey Cain 27 years ago, and Ms Cain, who is its chief executive officer, deputy CEO Phil McCall and chief financial officer Kathryn Higgs will all stay with the business.

The firm will be renamed H/Advisors APA.

“This will be H/Advisors’ first owned operation in Australia and an important next step in its strategic growth plan across the APAC region,’’ Havas said in a statement.

“This acquisition is part of the continued investment in Havas’ capability across strategic communications and regulated environments.

“Working alongside other agencies in the network, H/Advisors APA’s leading, insight-driven strategic counsel will add important new expertise and geographic reach to the network’s global clients as they continue to expand across borders.’’

Ms Cain said the collaboration was a logical next step for the company.

“We have ambitious plans and are excited to take the next step with H/Advisors and the broader Havas Group,’’ she said.

Havas, now owned by Vivendi, was founded in 1835 in Paris and is one of the largest communications companies globally, employing more than 22,000 people in more than 100 countries.

Subsidiary H/Advisors was founded in 2001 in London, New York and Paris and now employs more than 1400 consultants globally.

APA’s clients range across the resources, defence, space, not for profit and infrastructure sectors.

Originally published as Havas has acquired an Australian lobbying firm