Havas has acquired a majority stake (51%) in the UK’s most awarded creative studio, Uncommon Creative, signalling the media company’s continued commitment to creativity.
The Uncommon founders will keep a material stake in the business and will retain the freedom to make their own client decisions, while growing and sharing best practices across Havas and parent company Vivendi.
The creative studio – which has twice been named ‘Creative Agency of the Year’ in the UK, and, most recently, ‘AdAge’s International Agency of the Year’ – has been valued with a future potential of between £80m and £120m.
The acquisition marks Havas’s intention to continue to strengthen its presence in the UK, alongside its flagship, Havas London.
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The deal will also give an opportunity for the studio to expand the creative network in the United States, building and accelerating on Uncommon’s already robust roster of major US clients.
Uncommon has created a host of award-winning campaigns, including ITV’s mental health initiative, H&M infamous free suit hire – The One Second Suit – and redefining what Nike Jordan brand means today launching during the 23’ NBA All-Star Weekend through the eyes of an aspiring female baller.
“Uncommon will bring new energy, creativity, and audiences into Havas’ already leading-edge creative network, igniting, inspiring, and supporting every aspect of creativity,” said Vivendi chairman and Havas global CEO and chairman, Yannick Bolloré.
“Uncommon have created a new space and energy in the industry. They are a once-in-a-decade company and having them join the Havas family is an exciting prospect,” Bolloré added.
Uncommon founder Nils Leonard commented: “We created Uncommon to be on the receiving end of the most important and influential briefs of our time, this partnership brings that conviction closer to reality.
“This deal is different: it’s based on a freedom to make decisions, a power to break down barriers and the removal of dependency to make good things happen. We can create the industry we wish we worked in.”
