Havas and Horizon Media join forces on US$20b AI-driven global network

share on

twitter /
facebook /
linkedin /
- email
- telegram
- whatsapp
- wechat
- pinterest
- line
- snapchat
- reddit

Horizon Media Holdings and Havas have joined forces to launch Horizon Global, a new joint venture aimed at meeting the growing demands of global marketers. With a combined US$20 billion in billings, the new entity immediately positions itself among the world’s largest media investors.

Headquartered in New York and spanning over 100 markets, Horizon Global will focus on US-centric global client opportunities, while both Horizon Media and Havas Media Network continue to operate independently across their existing portfolios.

The new network will merge Horizon’s Blu platform with Havas’ Converged.AI platform, creating an integrated AI-native solution branded BluConverged. The platform is designed to deliver “smarter insights, faster outcomes and true transparency” for global clients.

Don't miss: HAVAS Red and H/Advisors launch joint venture in SG to deepen regional comms footprint

Bill Koenigsberg (pictured left), CEO and founder of Horizon Media Holdings, said Horizon Global was “built exclusively for the needs of the modern global marketer.”

“With an open ecosystem approach, Horizon Global fosters cooperation, prioritizes transparency and places power back in the client’s hands. As the first agency network built in the AI era, we’re leading with future-forward ways of working, collaborating and delivering outcomes for clients – and we’re doing it responsibly at global scale,” he said.

In tandem, Yannick Bolloré (pictured right), chairman and CEO of Havas, added “This partnership marks a significant moment for our agencies. I’ve known Bill for years, and I’m incredibly proud Horizon has turned to Havas as its global partner. In a shifting industry, we look forward to a very exciting partnership, combining our complementary strengths.”

To lead the venture, Bob Lord has been appointed interim CEO of Horizon Global, effective immediately. Lord will retain his role as president of Horizon Media Holdings, while overseeing Horizon Global’s growth strategy and client delivery. Based in Paris, Renata Spackova has been named global COO, tasked with driving deployment across the network’s 100+ markets.

The duo will work closely with a board that includes Koenigsberg, Bolloré, and Peter Mears, global CEO of Havas Media Network.

Commenting on the launch, Lord said "Horizon Global enters the market at a dynamic moment with a global offering that truly puts clients first. We intentionally designed Horizon Global to usher in a new chapter of connected intelligence, innovation, and client value."

"Through the BluConverged Platform, and together with our teams and partners, we can now meet the growing demands for performance-based media models and drive enduring growth for the incredible brands we are privileged to represent," he added.

The launch comes amid a period of expansion for Havas. In July, the network strengthened its Havas Market offering in Spain with the acquisition of leading independent performance agency Tidart.

A month earlier, it acquired Enverta Digital, a Toronto-based CRM and digital transformation specialist. Both moves mark important steps in advancing Havas’ Converged global media strategy.

Closer to home, Havas Health officially launched in Taiwan earlier this month. Operating within the Havas Taiwan Village, the new healthcare-focused agency reflects the network’s commitment to delivering world-class, data-driven healthcare communications in key global markets.

share on