H/Advisors strengthens its presence in Portugal

Havas is pleased to announce the acquisition of Cunha Vaz & Associados (CV&A), one of Portugal’s most prominent and successful PR and communications consultancies.

The firm will be integrated into H/Advisors, Havas’ global strategic advisory network, furthering its expansion in key financial centres around the globe. Following the transaction, the firm will be renamed H/Advisors CV&A.

Founded 20 years ago by Antonio Cunha Vaz, CV&A serves an impressive portfolio of clients. Headquartered in Lisbon with satellite offices in Porto and Funchal, CV&A comprises a team of more than 27 consultants and advisors. The firm is the reference advisory consultancy in Portugal for financial operations, mergers and acquisitions, crisis management, consumer and corporate communications and public affairs.

The acquisition of CV&A gives H/Advisors a leading market position in more than 13 European countries. Its addition follows the acquisition Australian Public Affairs (now H/Advisors APA) earlier this month, which strengthened the network’s presence in Asia Pacific. Together, the two acquisitions grow H/Advisors’ team to more than 1,400 communications consultants in more than 24 countries worldwide.

CV&A’s leadership team including: Antonio Cunha Vaz, CEO; Francisco de Mendia, partner and vice president of the board; Ricardo Salvo, partner and board member; José Pedro Luís, partner and board member; and Diogo de Belford Henriques, partner and board member, will continue with the business, joining H/Advisors’ talented and experienced global team.

Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and Global CEO, Havas, and Chairman, Vivendi, said: “Since coming together under the H/Advisors banner a year ago, our global strategic advisory service has quickly emerged as a necessary partner for corporate leaders looking to protect and enhance their reputations in crucial moments. CV&A’s expertise in Portugal is unmatched in this area, making it the
perfect fit for our global offering and we are excited to welcome their team to the Havas family.”

Antonio Cunha Vaz, Chief Executive Officer of Cunha Vaz & Associados and H/Advisors CV&A, said: “This operation is the natural next step in CVA’s recent evolution. After several years of collaboration with the network, which opened doors to new markets and led to CVA’s growth, the integration with H/Advisors brings new opportunities and synergies essential to the future worldwide trends in the communications and public affairs industry.”

Miguel Barros, President at Havas Creative Group Portugal said: “This is a great chance for two leading Portuguese companies to join together and share opportunities, increase our reach and provide a broader scope of expertise and services to our national and global clients. For Havas Portugal, this acquisition reinforces our market leadership, and we welcome CVA to our – now common – Havas Village”.

Neil Bennett and Tom Johnson, Global co-CEOs of H/Advisors, commented: “We are thrilled to add CV&A to our growing roster of leading strategic advisory firms and formalize the collaborative relationship we have enjoyed with Antonio and his team for a number of years. CV&A’s distinguished track record in Portugal embodies what we look to deliver to each of our clients: the very best local market expertise combined with the power of an integrated global network that guarantees leading, seamless service across borders.”