• by Steve McClellan , February 22, 2015

Havas, in a bid to strengthen its mobile and digital capabilities in North America, has acquired Toronto-based Plastic Mobile, a mobile specialist that builds applications and other strategic solutions for m-commerce, encompassing retail, loyalty, payments, coupons, and in-store initiatives. Terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition comes as the holding company is restructuring its Canadian operations in Toronto and Montreal around its Village model, where it houses all operations in a given city within a single complex.

Havas said that Plastic Mobile would be integrated within Canada's Havas Village offer, which also includes Havas Worldwide, Havas Worldwide Digital, and Havas Media. However, Plastic Mobile services will be available to clients across its North American footprint, the company said.

“You’ll see us in Canada start to expand into new and interesting disciplines with a fair amount of speed and scale,” Andrew Benett, global CEO of Havas Worldwide and Havas Creative Group, said in an interview with The Globe and Mail in December.

Yannick Bollore, Chairman and CEO of Havas Group, commented: "I'm thrilled to welcome Plastic Mobile to the Havas Group. Plastic Mobile is the premier agency for mobile and digital needs in the Canadian market. With proven results and savvy business strategies that propel top-tier brands into the fast-paced mobile revolution, this acquisition will strengthen our digital potency and capabilities."

Havas clients in Canada include Hershey Canada, New Balance, Couche-Tard and Michelob Ultra. Plastic Mobile has worked for clients including Rogers Communications Inc., Bank of Nova Scotia and online retailer Beyond the Rack.

"As mobile continues along its explosive growth path, our agency recognized that it was the right time to join a large international group in order to continue our development and attract more Fortune 500 brands," Melody Adhami, President of Plastic Mobile, said of the acquisition. "Being part of Havas will enable us to benefit from the strategic advantages of a world leader in communications and its network of industry experts and global resources.