Havas Buys Trends Consultancy SCB Partners

Havas Media Group has acquired London-based marketing insights consultancy SCB Partners. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2002 by Tammy Smulders and Alice Bamford, the firm combines qual and quant data with knowledge gleaned from its Global Influencer & Opinion Leader networks, which include trend setters, opinion formers and hard-to reach high net-worth individuals. This combination enables SCB to anticipate trends and forecast consumer behaviour.

While maintaining the SCB Partners brand identity, the business will become part of Havas Media, which already offers cross-channel data analysis, econometrics, customer data strategy and web analytics in addition to its media planning and buying services.

SCB staff will move into Havas Media's building in St. Martin's Lane, where they will continue to be led by Smulders. Havas Media MD Paul Frampton, to whom she now reports, says the buy will allow the group to deepen its focus on greater human understanding, along with its 'Meaningful Connections' philosophy and approach, giving its clients intelligence on consumers' digital behaviour.

Smulders adds: 'SCB has developed a special breed of trend knowledge and context, which enables us to deliver competitive edge with for our clients. The move into Havas Media Group allows us to extend our reach and better focus our efforts on growing the business and the agency.'

Web sites: www.havasmedia.com and www.scbpartners.com .