Havas Launches Dedicated Talent Communications Division Across APAC
Havas formalizes employer branding and internal communications across APAC with dedicated Havas People division. Strategic shift signals agencies must build specialized talent capabilities to meet ...
Havas has launched Havas People APAC, a regional division focused exclusively on talent communications, formalizing employer branding and internal culture services across Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
The move signals a broader shift within global communications networks, where employee-focused messaging is evolving from a human resources support function into a standalone strategic capability requiring dedicated teams and leadership.
Regional Platform Formalizes Existing Operations
Announced via LinkedIn, Havas People APAC positions itself as a knowledge-sharing platform for employer branding, employee experience, learning, culture, and internal communications. The division will serve all APAC markets while strengthening relationships with existing clients including Haleon and Hitachi Vantara.
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Fiona Warren, business director for Havas People APAC, will lead the regional expansion. "While most agencies focus on end consumers, we speak to the people behind the brand: candidates, employees and managers," Warren told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. "These are the ones who shape culture, deliver growth, and define what it feels like to work there."
The launch formalizes services already operating across the four markets, building on Havas People's established presence in the UK, US, and Australia. A parallel launch in India emphasizes internal communications for employee engagement, onboarding, and change management as part of what Havas calls the full-service "People Agenda."
Market Pressures Drive Specialized Talent Divisions
The timing reflects significant market dynamics reshaping agency capabilities across Asia Pacific. Spending on online video, e-commerce, and influencer marketing in APAC is projected to increase 35% in 2026, while global advertising spend approaches the US$1 trillion threshold with 5.1% year-over-year growth led by the Asia-Pacific region.
These pressures are driving communications networks to restructure talent capabilities. Southeast Asian agencies including Cheil Indonesia, AnyMind Group, Dentsu Creative Vietnam, and LEO Thailand have made strategic leadership appointments and built in-house divisions to meet client demands for integrated, performance-driven work. Cheil Indonesia appointed Young Min Ha as Head of Retail for Samsung Mobile and Soniya Ana as PR Manager in 2025, building specialized capabilities for retail and public relations.
Converged AI platforms have reduced production timelines by 60%, requiring agencies to hire what industry observers call "creative-technical hybrids" who combine data analytics with creative execution. This talent competition extends to agencies themselves, particularly in premium markets like Singapore where high salaries and intense competition for senior professionals require strong employee value propositions beyond compensation alone.
Strategic Expansion Aligns With Network Growth
The APAC launch aligns with Havas' broader global expansion strategy. In September, the company partnered with Horizon Media to establish Horizon Global, a network representing combined billings of US$20 billion. The collaboration integrates Horizon's Blu platform with Havas' Converged.AI platform to create BluConverged, an AI-powered solution designed to deliver enhanced insights and accelerated outcomes for global clients.
The regional expansion underscores recognition that employer branding, employee experience, and internal culture require specialized expertise separate from consumer-facing marketing services across Asia Pacific's diverse business environments.
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