Havas Group has acquired a majority stake in Blink, a social media agency with a unique model which specializes in content and management of conversations between consumers and brands, assisting organizations to follow, understand and take part in the social media realm.
Blink was founded in 2007 by Sagi Chemetz, one of the first social media activists in Israel. It was the first content and social media agency in Israel and one of the first agencies in the social media field globally. Headquartered in Tel Aviv, the team of 35 experts work on digital and content strategy, content creation, social media management, community management, digital PR, crisis management and social and native media buying for its strong customer base which includes both blue-chip companies and SMEs, all leading players in their respective markets.
Yannick Bolloré, Havas Group CDO, said, “Social media has undeniably become one of the most powerful ways for brands to engage with consumers. Joining forces with an agency with the caliber of Blink will enhance our social media expertise as we export their approach to our other agencies all over the world.”
Chemetz, Blink founder and CEO, added, “We are very proud to partner with the Havas Group. It is another step towards our growth and innovation and it reflects a strong belief in our capabilities, our talented team and the unique creative atmosphere we have created at Blink over the years. In Havas we have found open-minded and creative partners and we are excited to become part of the Group. I believe it will allow us to move forward in fulfilling our vision to assist brands and organizations in better managing their social conversations in an open and creative way”.
Chemetz will remain CEO of Blink while Alberto Canteli, CEO Nordics CEE & Middle East of Havas, will oversee the agency’s integration into the Group.
Paul McCartney says he fears AI will rip off artists
Paul McCartney urged the British government not to make a change to copyright laws that he says could let artificial intelligence companies rip off artists.
The government is consulting on whether to let tech firms use copyrighted material to help train artificial intelligence models unless the creators explicitly opt out.
McCartney told the BBC that would make it harder for artists to retain control of their work and undermine Britain's creative industries.
"You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don't own it, and they don't have anything to do with it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off," the 82-year-old former Beatle said in an interview to be broadcast Sunday. An extract was released Saturday by the BBC.
"The truth is, the money's going somewhere. When it gets on the streaming platforms, somebody is getting it, and it should be the person who created it. It shouldn't be some tech giant somewhere."
Britain's center-left Labour Party government says it wants to make the U.K. a world leader in AI. In December, it announced a consultation into how copyright law can "enable creators and right holders to exercise control over, and seek remuneration for, the use of their works for AI training" while also ensuring "AI developers have easy access to a broad range of high-quality creative content."
Publishers, artists' organizations and media companies, including The Associated Press, have banded together as the Creative Rights in AI Coalition to oppose weakening copyright protections.
"We're the people, you're the government. You're supposed to protect us. That's your job," McCartney said. "So you know, if you're putting through a bill, make sure you protect the creative... Read More