MUMBAI: Havas Media has acquired a majority stake in Snapworx Mobile Inc, the mobile marketing arm of Philippines-based Snapworx Inc.
Snapworx‘s mobile business will now be rebranded as Mobext, whichalready operates as the global mobile marketing brand within the HavasDigital stable.
This acquisition further strengthens Havas Media‘s footprint in the area, adding to its existing two agencies: MPG and Media Contacts.
The newly branded Mobext in the Philippines will be led by Arthur Policarpio, the current CEO of Snapworx, who will report in to Vishnu Mohan, CEO of Havas Media APAC.
Havas Media CEO Alfonso Rodes Vila said, "We are constantly focused on enhancing our service offerings to address the needs of our clients and the acquisition of Snapworx is part of this strategy. The Philippines is one of Asia’s biggest mobile markets where the demand for mobile marketing solutions is growing exponentially. This acquisition also perfectly complements our other agencies in the Philippines".
With a decade of mobile marketing experience, Policarpio is a recognised industry leader in the Philippines. He was the former President (2009) of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP), the country‘s premiere association for Internet and mobile marketing.
Policarpio will be joined in the Mobext management team by Jeremy Obial, Snapworx co-founder and chief technology officer.
Havas Digital CEO Anthony Rhind said, "Snapworx is a wonderful addition to Havas Digital‘s agencies and we see a great cultural fit with them. I am excited by the prospect of the new agency Mobext, and look forward to working with the teams."
Mobext CEO Arthur Policarpio added, "We are pleased to be a part of the Havas Media family. The group has both strong local operations and a solid global footprint. We are looking forward to further enhancing the group‘s strength and expertise through our extensive experience in the Philippines market."
Mobext is currently present in 11 markets globally. In Asia, the agency brand was launched in India in May last year, with plans for roll out in three more markets this year.
