Havas buys indie agency Kaimera

Havas has made a major move in the ANZ land, acquiring independent media agency Kaimera in a deal that brings additional scale, talent and specialist capability to Havas Media Network.

The agency will exist as Kaimera, but now a Havas Company, with founders Nick Behr and Trent McMillan continuing to lead the business.

Founded in 2016, Kaimera has grown to more than 50 staff across Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, building a strong reputation for simplifying media complexity and delivering customised solutions.

Its client roster includes Nando’s, Scape, IMB Bank, Afterpay and BritBox.

The acquisition strengthens Havas’ ability to bring creativity, media and technology together, while accelerating the rollout of Converged.AI, the group’s AI-driven operating system that sits across strategy, client experience and media delivery.

Kaimera joins Havas Media Network as ANZ growth continues

With the addition of Kaimera’s team, Havas ANZ’s headcount surpasses 450 staff across the region.

The move follows the introduction of the group’s new positioning, Deliberately Different, which emphasises a model that blends indie agility with global network scale.

Behr and McMillan will report to James Wright, Group CEO of Havas ANZ and Global Chair of the Havas PR Network, with Kaimera initially remaining in its Surry Hills and South Melbourne offices.

Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO, Havas, said: "I’m delighted to welcome Nick Behr, Trent McMillan and the talented team at Kaimera to the Havas family. This deal reinforces our commitment to the Australian and New Zealand markets and our belief in the opportunity there with James and his leadership team.

"We have very clear ambitions across our Group, and bringing in Kaimera’s expertise and strong reputation will further strengthen our network and accelerate the deployment of our Converged.AI strategy, ensuring we deliver excellence for our clients," said Bolloré.

Expanding capability and new client opportunities

For Havas, integrating an agency with Kaimera’s entrepreneurial background and technical expertise supports its broader ambitions to expand services and deliver sharper results across media, digital, and AI-enhanced planning.

Wright said: “The acquisition of Kaimera is a clear statement of our ambition in Australia and New Zealand. As part of our new ANZ business plan and our positioning as ‘deliberately different,’ we are focused on growth and entrepreneurial investment in the region. To deliver on this, we want to bring in the best talent and resources to achieve more powerful, meaningful results for our clients. We believe Kaimera’s culture, proven track record, and specialist capabilities are a perfect complement to our Group. We welcome Nick, Trent, and their team.”

Kaimera says joining Havas unlocks scale, AI capability and regional growth

Behr said the move ensures Kaimera can remain future-focused while giving staff and clients access to expanded tools, technology and investment.

“We need to stay future-focused for our clients and our people, and Havas is the perfect partner for this next chapter,” he said.

“The group has a clear vision and strong foundations for where it’s heading. Joining Havas gives us access to greater investment, scale, resources, tools and technology, particularly in AI, while allowing us to stay true to our culture and approach. Together, we can deliver even more meaningful growth for brands across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. We’re excited to begin this new chapter with James and the Havas team.”

The acquisition marks one of the most significant media agency moves in the ANZ market this year, solidifying Havas’ presence and setting the organisation up for further momentum in 2026.

Top image: James Wright, Nick Behr and Trent McMillan 

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