Havas Media Completes Deal To Acquire Atlanta-Based Marketing Firm Ignition

Global media company Havas Media has acquired Atlanta-based Ignition, the marketing agency most noted for its work organizing the Olympic Torch Relay. The acquisition will see Ignition become a part of Havas Sports & Entertainment. Ignition brings with it relationships with clients such as American Express, BP, Delta Air Lines, ESPN, Kia, United Nations Foundation, Victoria’s Secret and The Coca-Cola Company. Ignition worked with Coca-Cola to develop and manage its '10 World Cup Trophy Tour. Ignition President Mike Hersom, CMO Cindy-Ann “CA” Hersom and original founders Dill and Susan Driscoll will continue to manage the agency. Havas is the world’s sixth largest marketing company. It competes against Interpublic Group, Publicis and other large agency conglomerates. Its most recent acquisition prior to Ignition was of Snapworx Mobile, the mobile advertising arm of a Philippines-based agency.