Havas Sports & Entertainment expands its global presence with the opening of a new office in Russia

The expansion of Havas Sports & Entertainment into Russia increases the network's global footprint, which spans 36 offices in 20 markets, including Havas Sports & Entertainment, Cake Group and ignition agencies, and firmly solidifies the its presence in thisfast growing market in the run up to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Havas Sports & Entertainment will enable international and local Russian clients to benefit from its global perspective and expertise in a wide-range of specialised services focused on sports and entertainment, including sponsorship consulting, branded content, social media, PR, experiential and research.

Havas Sports & Entertainment Russia was born out of an internal team within the Havas Group (MPG and Arena Magic Box agencies) that focused on sponsorship and brand entertainment. This specialised team has been operating in Russia for the past seven years, having delivered innovative engagement solutions for clients such as LVMH, Heineken, ReckittBenckiser, Hyundai, Kia, MTS and Lexus, and developing close relations with the rest of the network globally.

Maria Gavrilova has been named Managing Director of Havas Sports & Entertainment Russia, having previously led the internal team for the group.

She commented, "The opening of Havas Sports & Entertainment Russia comes at a very strategic time, as Russia continues to attract an increasing number of international events. Crucially we have the local insight and can benefit from the support of the global Havas Sports & Entertainment network to help both local and international brands develop meaningful and long-term relationships with Russian consumers."

Havas Sports & Entertainment Russia will add to the media services offered by MPG and Arena Magic Box as well as thecreative services of advertising agency Euro RSCG, all led by the President of Havas Russia & CIS, Dmitry Konstantinov.

"Havas Sports & Entertainment Russia brings a unique offer of specialty services to the Havas Goup which reinforces Havas' leading position in Russia and the CIS, and strengthens our capabilities in sports and entertainment," said Konstantinov.

Lucien Boyer, President and Global CEO of the Havas Sports & Entertainment (HSE Group) commented: "Russia will be hosting several major global sporting events in the coming years. Our experience working for 10 Olympic sponsors around London 2012 combined with our global track record with major sports and entertainment stakeholders and brands, notably with the FIFA World Cup, gives us the expertise to advise clients looking to connect with consumers around these big events."