Happy Creative Services to join mcgarrybowen as first offering in India through Dentsu Aegis Network acquisition

Dentsu Aegis Network today announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire creative marketing agency Happy Creative Services (“Happy”) in India, which will join the global mcgarrybowen network of agencies and be rebranded as Happy mcgarrybowen. The acquisition will strengthen Dentsu Aegis’ creative offering in the market, marks the first mcgarrybowen agency in India and expands its footprint in Asia – with other offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and China.

Established in 2007, Happy is an award-winning boutique creative marketing agency located in Bangalore, India. Regarded as one of the most promising independent creative outfits in India, Happy boasts a staff of 100 across three disciplines – Brand Design, Integrated Brand Communication and Digital, building and rejuvenating brands through media agnostic ideas, customised to deliver on key business and brand metrics.

Joining the Dentsu Aegis leadership team in India is Happy’s Co-Founder and CEO Kartik Iyer, and Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer Praveen Das, who will both report to Ashish Bhasin, Chairman and CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia.

Ashish Bhasin, Chairman and CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia, said: “Happy has carved out a very strong digital and creative reputation in the Indian market. Founders Kartik Iyer and Praveen Das – who are among Fortune India’s 40 Under 40 – are prominent and well-respected figures in the industry, and this acquisition will add creative bench strength to the wider team. This will enable us to launch mcgarrybowen in India and we will be another step closer to our mission of being the second largest agency group by the end of 2017 in India, overturning for the first time the existing ranking which has historically been in place for over 80 years in the market.”

Gordon Bowen, mcgarrybowen Founder and Global Chairman, said: “India is an important creative market that boasts world-class talent and an enviable group of multi-national clients, both of which represent untapped potential for mcgarrybowen. We knew that successfully expanding in this very competitive market required finding great partners that share our passions and values. With a respected reputation and well awarded creative offering, Happy is just that kind of partner and I am proud to welcome them into the mcgarrybowen family.”

“Like us, Kartik and Praveen believe in the power of big organising ideas, collaboration and strong client partnerships. Together I am confident we will fuel even greater creative and business success for clients here in India and around the world,” he added.

Kartik Iyer, Co-Founder and CEO, and Praveen Das, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Happy, said: “It has taken us a good nine years to come this far in terms of talent, business and reputation. There comes a time in every business to take a big leap to propel it to the next level and being a part of Dentsu Aegis and mcgarrybowen supports this growth ambition and provides us with the right platform. We are presently working with a number of marquee clients that require the support of a global network and we have always been clear that Happy should equip itself to compete with the biggest players on the largest stage. In mcgarrybowen we found a true match in philosophy and belief and being a part of their vision makes us truly proud.”

Most recently, Happy bagged the 'Agency of the Year' title at the 2016 edition of Maddys, organised by The Advertising Club Madras. Happy’s work on the ‘Ola Boat’ - which was an emergency boat service set up by Ola cabs, to help stranded people in the city of Chennai during the Nov 2015 floods - has also won numerous national and international awards for the effort.

The deal is expected to close in the next few weeks.

-ENDS-

For further information contact:

Pei Xuan Lim   Regional Communications Manager Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific T: +65 6501 1693 E: PeiXuan.Lim@dentsuaegis.com

Notes to Editors:

About Dentsu Aegis Network

Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of ten global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, Dentsu media, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 145 countries worldwide with around 35,000 dedicated specialists. www.dentsuaegisnetwork.com

About Happy

Happy Creative Services has been in the news from the year they were founded in 2007. From launching cult brand Diesel in India to conceptualizing the award winning ‘Post Card’ commercial for ‘Incredible India’. Happy has consistently built its creative reputation with big wins across Indian and international festivals. Happy shot to national fame with their kids campaign for Flipkart, which successfully built the brand for four years. Happy is also the agency behind major new age brands like Ola, Myntra and FreshMenu – all of which have been working with the agency since their inception. Headquartered in Bangalore, Happy currently functions out of a single unit to serve clients across the country.