Havas axes AIS international network

Havas Media is understood to have pulled the plug on the international network of Archibald Ingall Stretton – established by co-founder Stuart Archibald in 2009 – shifting clients within group agencies in each region.
Archibald (pictured) was appointed to spearhead the expansion strategy five years ago, in a move which coincided with Havas increasing its stake in the agency from a minority shareholding to take overall control.
At the time, Havas Media chief executive Alfonso Rodés, said: “AIS has a similar philosophy to ours and its ability to embrace and leverage digital media is unique. We look forward to helping it build its network within the Havas platform.”
The first offices were launched in Spain in 2009, in Madrid and Barcelona. Archibald then established an offshoot in Mexico City as well as setting up AIS New York, where he worked for two years. During this period, the agency picked up business from The Economist, Axa and The Climate Group.
But with Archibald leaving the business last year to set up his own agency in Australia, Archibald Williams, the expansion of the AIS brand has been scrapped. AIS New York’s website, aisnewyork.com, now diverts to a company called ESI Design. Fellow co-founder Jon Ingall was the first to leave, quitting agency life altogether in 2010. Steve Stretton has only just left, after winding down his involvement some months ago.
The management team of AIS London – which is unaffected by the move – has effectively been in charge of the business since late last year. The line-up includes Sarah Stratford, managing partner, strategy; Geoff Gower, managing partner, creative, and Stephen Watford, managing partner, commercial,
The agency is in the midst of a new business “purple patch”, having won CRM accounts for both Waitrose and Club Med in recent weeks. It also works for Vodafone, Skoda, Pure Collection and CoppaFeel.
No-one was available for comment at Havas Media when contacted by DecisionMarketing.