(Boursier.com) — The APAC region is home to more than half of the world’s population, and the size of the healthcare market is expected to reach over $300 billion by 2030 – making the presence of healthcare brands in the region and investment in this sector more important than ever. In order to pursue its development in this key market, Havas Group announces today the acquisition of Bastion Brands, the leading independent health communication agency in the Australian market.
Bastion Brands will become part of Havas Health & You (HH&Y), the leading global health communications network. This acquisition reflects the exponential growth of HH&Y under the leadership of its CEO Donna Murphy and its significant evolution in the Asia-Pacific region under the leadership of Charles Houdoux, CEO of APAC & LATAM, bringing the network’s headcount in Australia to more than 350 people.
Since 2019, Bastion Brands has been a strategic partner of Havas Health & You and offers its services to its customers while working closely with Havas Village Australia partners. Founded in 2012 by Simon Davies, the agency has become Australia’s leading consumer health and pharmaceutical marketing communications specialist. With offices in Melbourne and Sydney, Bastion Brands is developing a growing business footprint in Southeast Asia. Its unique approach that combines “science and emotion” in its communication solutions for healthcare professionals has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations as a finalist at the prestigious Prime Awards.
“Bastion Brands is recognized for providing its clients, including major pharmaceutical companies around the world, with relevant and meaningful solutions,” said Yannick Bollore?, Chairman & CEO of Havas Group. “By integrating their capabilities into our global Havas Health & You network, we will be able to provide specialist health communications, both for this region, and for our customers globally. Bastion Brands also complements the rapid growth of our business. of ‘Red Havas’ health press relations in Australia, and we are delighted to officially welcome the Bastion Brands team to our group”.
In Asia alone, HH&Y has experienced annual growth of more than 20%, and the acquisition of Bastion Brands strengthens its presence in ten countries in the APAC region: Greater China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Thailand , Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. In response to regional growth accelerated by heightened health and wellness awareness, the network has made significant investments in its Villages and their leadership to foster growth across the region – including through the creation of a regional center for Southeast Asia and the support of new talent in Japan and China.
©2022 Boursier.com