Havas Worldwide Takes Majority Stake in Social Technology Startup: Socialistic

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Havas Worldwide today announced it has taken a majority equity stake in Socialistic, a new social media driven agency led by industry veteran Colleen DeCourcy. The agency incorporates an industry leading team of technologists and a network of content creators to deliver a first-ever social agency model to clients.

The Socialistic studio will be located in New York, servicing clients around the world, and will house a team of application technologists working alongside a network of journalists, writers and videographers who understand the new direction of media, with creative and strategic leadership that has been trained in both the advertising industry and the technology sector. Socialistic works with social platform API's to create mobile applications, Digital OOH, In-store experience, branded digital products and brand-owned media destinations.

"What really sets this new agency apart from other digital or social media specialists is that Socialistic is a marketing technology studio. It's what happens when a group of brilliant writers and filmmakers are moved into a room with a team of experienced technology entrepreneurs," said Colleen DeCourcy, CEO of Socialistic. "The output isn't campaign driven; it's product and community driven. And that's a big change from the normal agency model."

"Our industry used to be just about having the best talent. It's now about talent and technology. Socialistic combines one of the most brilliant digital talents in the world - Colleen DeCourcy -- with cutting edge technology. I'm really looking forward to what this start-up will be able to deliver for our clients to keep them ahead of their competitors," said David Jones, global CEO of Havas Worldwide.

Socialistic will begin work immediately and will build a roster of key clients both within and outside of the Havas network. For more information visit Socialistic at www.socialistic.com or on Facebook at Socialistic or say hello via Twitter (@socialisticny) using #socialistichello.

About Socialistic

Socialistic (www.socialistic.com) is a social software and high value content studio for branded media with expertise in building social value for brands through the design of shared experience. Part of Havas Worldwide, the Socialistic studio houses a tenured team of application technologists and a network of journalists, writers and videographers who understand the new direction of media, with creative and strategic leadership that has been trained in both the advertising industry and the technology sector. Socialistic works with social platform API's to create mobile applications, Digital OOH, In-store experience, branded digital products and brand-owned media destinations.

About Havas Worldwide

Havas Worldwide is the main business unit of Havas (Euronext Paris: HAV.PA) and is one of the world's largest global advertising and communications services groups. Havas Worldwide incorporates the Euro RSCG Worldwide network as well as agencies with strong local identities including Arnold; H and W&Cie in France; and Palm+Havas in Canada. The network offers a broad range of communications services, including traditional advertising, interactive and social marketing, direct marketing, corporate communications, sales promotion, design, sports marketing and public relations. Havas employs approximately 14,700 people. Further information about Havas is available on the company's website: www.havas.com.

SOURCE Havas Worldwide