Havas Africa has officially launched Havas Play, Havas’ global network with expertise across sponsorships, partnerships, experiential, social, influencers, and branded content.
This latest launch expands
the footprint of the global Havas Play network, which encompasses over 500+
Play experts in more than 20 countries across the globe.
According to
PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2024-2028
report, entertainment and media (E&M) revenue in South Africa, Kenya, and
Nigeria is expected to surpass the average 3.9% compound annual growth rate
forecasted globally.
Between 2023 and 2028, South
Africa's E&M revenue is projected to increase from US$16.1 billion to
US$19.8 billion, Nigeria's from US$9.0 billion to US$13.6 billion, and Kenya's
from US$3.8 billion to US$4.8 billion.
This growth highlights
Africa’s deep-rooted music, sports, and gaming communities, which makes Africa
a key market for investment in areas of consumer passion.
"At Havas Play, we don’t
just create campaigns—we ignite passion points and build communities where
brands and fans connect in meaningful ways. Africa is a powerhouse of culture,
creativity, and untapped potential, and its influence on the global
entertainment and sports economy is undeniable," said Renata Spackova, Chief Operating Officer of New Core Business
at Havas.
Renata said by expanding Havas
Play into Africa, they are strengthening their global footprint and unlocking
new opportunities for brands to engage with some of the most passionate
fanbases in the world.
"This is more than
growth—it’s about shaping the future of fandom on a global scale,” Renata
added.
Having launched across Havas’
major markets including Australia, France, the United Kingdom, the United
States, India, Spain, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore, and LATAM,
Havas Play has driven impactful activations for storied brands including
Alpine, Jameson, Total Wireless, Puma, Narcotics Anonymous, L’Enfant Blue, and
HARMAN Gaming. Now, Havas Play extends its bespoke capabilities into Africa.
“Africa’s strong, vibrant, and
diverse cultures are deeply rooted in entertainment, whether it be sports,
music, or gaming. This is part of our people. We believe that Havas Play has
the potential to help brands become cultural players and form meaningful connections
in a fragmented media landscape, contributing to a culture of co-creation.
Brands cannot exist without the people – therefore, culture needs to be taken
seriously to ensure they connect with superfans,” says Carel Scheepers, Head of New Core Business at Havas Africa.
Provit
Chemmani CEO of Havas Africa, shared:
“Africa is not just a market; it is a movement—driven by passion, creativity, and an unstoppable energy for entertainment. With Havas Play, we are not just launching a service; we are igniting a cultural revolution where brands don’t just advertise, they become part of the fabric of music, sports, and gaming. This is our moment to shape the future of fan engagement and put Africa at the forefront of the global entertainment economy.”
