• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, May 6, 2008

Havas Media, the global media services network of the world's sixth largest agency holding company, Paris-based Havas, this morning announced a surprising acquisition of a full-service advertising agency with a reputation for strong creative and interactive marketing services, and a plan to expand it as part of its global media offering. The agency, 10-year-old U.K.-based archibald ingall stretton (ais), will become a new Havas Media digital brand existing alongside the likes of Media Contacts, Lattitud, iGlue and Mobext - initially in the U.K., but ultimately in North America, Latin America, Australia, Asia and other European regions.

The expansion plan includes opening in Spain, Portugal, USA and Mexico during 2008.

Chief Executive Officer of Havas Media, Alfonso Rodés, stated "This has been a result of a relationship started over two years ago. "archibald ingall stretton has a similar philosophy to our group and their ability to fully embrace and leverage digital media is unique," Alfonso Rodés, CEO of Havas Media, commented on the acquisition, believed to be the first by a dedicated media services network of a full-service agency brand.

Interestingly, Havas is structuring the new unit as part of Havas Media, but not under its Havas Digital brand, which manages Havas' digital media and marketing services portfolio.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but ais has a staff of 130 people, and reported billings in excess of $98 million. Its client roster includes: Škoda, O2, Dyson, EDF Energy, Pioneer, Barnardo's and Abbey.

Havas Media's digital capacity has seen a rapid expansion over the last few years. Over the past two years, Media Contacts, its dominant digital media brand in the U.S., has more than doubled in number of employees and now operates in over 30 countries.