Havas Group extends its health and wellness focus with a new acquisition

Health communications network Havas Group has recently acquired “SO What Global,” in order to develop its Havas Health & You global footprint, delivering new concepts which will shape the burgeoning health-and-wellness market. Havas Group employs 20,000 people in over 100 countries, encompassing three business units - creative, media and healthcare & wellness.

SO What Global will join the Havas Health & You business unit as Havas SO.

Havas Health & You unites Havas Life, Health4Brands (H4B), Havas Lynx and Havas Life PR, all wholly owned health and communications networks.

The brand's two agencies, SO Healthy and SO Active, will complement the current service offerings to the Havas Group agency roster, through its full spectrum of science and consumer focused communication skill sets for global clients. The existing Havas Group agency Health for Brands London (H4B London) will also become part of the Havas SO Group as part of the deal.

With a focus on "life communications"—namely health, well-being and lifestyle—SO What Global currently works with many of the top pharma, consumer lifestyle and wellness companies, as well as global associations.

The agency will further evolve its proprietary mapping and development framework, called RelationSHIFT, defines where clients are in terms of reputation, and then creates a tailored pathway that moves them closer to the relationships that matter with key stakeholders.

Yannick Bolloré, CEO, Havas Group commented: "Bringing SO What Global into Havas Health & You is a strong strategic move to expand our healthcare and wellness capabilities. Their entrepreneurial mindset within the Havas Village will work to stimulate even more business growth and drive.”

Donna Murphy, CEO of Havas Health & You, and will work closely with European senior leaders for day-to-day operations.

“SO What Global’s integrated approach and fresh concepts, as well as the vast talent pool across the communications spectrum will bolster exciting offering for global clients," added Murphy.