Publicis launches Digitas down under

• Henry appointed Digitas MD in Australia
• Reports directly to VivaKi
• To complement Publicis' media & creative agencies

Australia - Publicis Groupe has launched its global digital agency Digitas in Australia, and appointed the former managing director of Carat Sydney Mandy Henry to head the business

Henry will report to VivaKi, a strategic unit formed to bolster the growth and digital capabilities of the group's ZenithOptimedia, Starcom MediaVest and Digitas agency brands.

VivaKi released a statement on the new appointment today, with VivaKi Australasia chairman Kevin Molloy naming Henry as Digitas managing director and Nicolas Guillemot as general manager. VivaKi opened for business last June and has now launched in New Zealand, the UK, Russia, India and Iberia.

Digitas Australia is designed to complement Publicis' media agency brands as well as the creative shops in Leo Burnett, Publicis Mojo and Saatchi & Saatchi.

The digital agency currently boasts American Express, Kraft, Samsung, IBM and Absolut on its global client roster. Its existing offices in Asia Pacific include in Singapore, China and India.