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    Havas Acquires Social First Marketing Agency Wilderness

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments834 Views
    Pictured (l-r) are: Nick Wright, chief growth officer, Havas Media Network UK; Safiya Pomell-Korouie, deputy managing director, Wilderness; Tom Jarvis, managing director, Wilderness; Jamie Maple, executive creative director, Wilderness; and Rosie Holden, president, Havas Play UK
    LONDON --

    Havas has acquired U.K.-based Wilderness, bringing deep social marketing expertise to Havas globally and enhancing the existing social media services offered within Havas Village London, its PR agencies, and Havas Play, the global network dedicated to connecting brands to consumer passions through experiences that put brands at the crossroads of culture, entertainment, and sports. The acquisition is the latest strategic move by Havas to evolve its operating model to accelerate clients’ transition to become more customer-centric organizations. Wilderness will join Havas Play, gaining access to the network’s global scale and client base.     

    Founded by Tom Jarvis in 2015, Wilderness rose to prominence working as an in-house partner to major entertainment brands including Sony Pictures, 20th Century, and Universal Pictures where the firm built deep strategic and creative specialism through its services including branded content, shoppable experiences, always-on production and more. Wilderness has quickly scaled this entertainment-led approach to social to new verticals such as food and drink, FMCG, travel, fashion, and technology, among other consumer sectors and, today, counts the likes of Disney+, BBC Studios, Ticketmaster and NOW, among its clients. In 2023, Wilderness also added projects for Sky Mobile, Sykes Holidays, Heineken, and Dolby, among others, to its work portfolio.   

    Wilderness was nominated for a Webby (2021) for Best Social in the Lifestyle, Health, and Wellness category for its work with Fresh Fitness Food. Among Wilderness’ most iconic work is its campaign supporting HBO across the final season of Game of Thrones. 

    Wilderness’ London-based staff will move to Havas Village London this month and form a 30+ strong dedicated social media team as part of the Havas Play Network which was launched globally by Havas in 2023. Nick Wright, chief growth officer of Havas Media Network UK, will be responsible for the strategic integration of Wilderness into Havas, putting in place a rapid growth plan for the agency. Wright will work closely with Rosie Holden, president of Havas Play UK, to ensure that Tom Jarvis, managing director of Wilderness, and his team quickly hit the ground running.    

    Yannick Bolloré, chairman and global CEO, Havas, said, “Wilderness is a forward-thinking business that perfectly aligns with Havas’ unique positioning at the crossroads of entertainment and advertising, helping clients reach their customers in innovative and meaningful ways. We are excited to see how the addition of Wilderness will enhance complementary specialisms provided by Havas Play and others across Havas globally.”   

    Jarvis said, “We have a long-term vision to become the leading social media agency for clients looking to transform how they approach social within their organization. The scale and opportunity being part of Havas affords us will allow us to realize that mission. I can’t wait for us to get started!”   

    Holden added, “Wilderness is the perfect blend of servicing brands in culture and entertainment, as well as bringing culture and entertainment to brands wanting to activate in those areas. They are experts in driving awareness, consideration, engagement, and conversion through social and will be an invaluable asset to the Havas Play Network.” 

    Category:News
    Tags:HavasHavas PlayRosie HoldenTom JarvisWilderness



    Review: Director Ben Taylor’s “Joy”

    Thursday, November 21, 2024

    Toward the end of Netflix's "Joy," the muffled cry of a newborn baby prompts a man and woman in a hospital to embrace out of pure bliss. They aren't the parents, but they had as much to do with the birth as the mom and dad.

    This charming and winning movie charts the decade-long true story of how the world's first IVF baby was born in England in 1978 — a 5-pound, 12-ounce girl who paved the way for millions more. It's an upbeat, very English affair, mixing sober discussion of endometriosis with chocolate biscuits.

    The couple embracing that day were pioneering scientist Robert Edwards and Jean Purdy, a young nurse and embryologist. Together with surgeon Patrick Steptoe, the trio succeeded with in vitro fertilization, a method of treating infertility. Edwards would go on to win the Nobel Prize.

    "Joy" has been birthed at a time when science is under threat in America — even IVF — so it's downright inspiring to see plucky, smart scientists working hard to change the world. "What we're doing, it matters," says Steptoe, played with quiet economy by Bill Nighy.

    "Joy" is the personal stories of the three scientists — mostly through the eyes of Purdy, a polite lab-coated warrior. "If I hear a commotion, I'm not very good at staying out of it," she says. Perfectly played by Thomasin McKenzie, Purdy is both vulnerable and strong, learning through the process to be a better human. James Norton plays Edwards with charm, self-doubt and calm spirit.

    Jack Thorne's script nicely explains the massive pressure the trio faced. IVF may have become common and uncontroversial over the last decades, but back in the late '70s it was experimental and shunned. The Anglican church called it a sin, the newspapers labeled it Frankenstein-ish and other... Read More

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