'If You're Not In India, You Can't Claim To Be In Asia-Pacific'

On his first visit to India since Havas Red's investment in PR Pundit, JAMES WRIGHT, Global CEO of Havas Red, spoke exclusively with BW Businessworld's Reema Bhaduri about the network's growth trajectory in India, its evolving client mix, Havas Asia-Pacific strategy and much more. Excerpts

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Since Havas Red officially invested in PR Pundit in November 2023, how has client acquisition progressed?

We have over 200 clients. We have world-class clients in this agency and they're trusting us with their brand, with their PR, social and influencer spend. The opportunity is to really expand. The team here traditionally was always known as a consumer, lifestyle, social agency within PR Pundit Havas Red. Now we have also expanded hugely into corporate and health. We're seeing huge growth potential in those areas where they can also draw on experience and knowledge from other parts of the Havas Red global PR network, and take those learnings, credentials and experience to the corporate team here.

We have developed the automotive space here. Entered the luxury and lifestyle space. These industries have been areas that we focused on and specialised in, and expanded our services. I think that's where we've seen the potential and the growth. We want to double down on the areas we know that clients will continue to spend and where we see the potential upside coming really strongly.

What specifically makes India pivotal in Havas' APAC strategy? Any recent investment expected?