Havas Acquires US Based Experiential & PR Agency Formula

Havas has announced the acquisition of Formula, an integrated communications and experiential marketing agency. With 100 staff members across offices in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego, the new entity, Havas Formula, will be a full-service agency with practice areas in strategic communications, public relations, experiential, Latino, and experiential marketing.

Havas Formula complements Havas Creative Group’s core competencies, and will work alongside the Group’s existing agencies—such as Havas Impact, Havas Edge, Havas Luxe, Havas PR, and Havas Latino Group—to boost the Group’s offering to North American clients. Through the acquisition, Havas is also gaining Formula’s brand activation arm, Formula Street, and Hispanic PR division, FORMULATIN.

Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO of Havas, commented, “Formula is a best-in-class agency with an impressive client roster, particularly within the consumer and lifestyle category. With their track record of implementing impactful PR, social, and experiential programs, Formula will help expand our offering. They are a perfect fit for our Group.”

Formula has established a name for itself over the last 22 years as a progressive firm that serves brands looking to disrupt the market and grow a passionate following. It has represented flagship clients such as Heineken, Nestlé, Wyndham Hotel Group, Phillips 66, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Shure.

As a midsize agency with a prestigious client roster, Formula recognized that it was the right time to broaden its resources, secure a global footprint and attract more Fortune 100 brands.

“This decision was the natural evolution of our growth strategy, and Havas is the ideal partner,” Michael A. Olguin, President of Formula, said of the acquisition. “Having access to Havas’s powerful network of global services and resources, paired with the ability to leverage and learn from the company’s senior team, is going to be a game changer for us.”

“Formula’s expertise—using brand insight and narrative to drive consumer engagement—will further strengthen our client offering in North America,” said Havas Creative Group CEO Andrew Benett. “The team at Formula is smart and dynamic, and we look forward to collaborating with them.”