Havas Paris Acquires Format to Expand Next-Generation Corporate Influence Offering
From left to right: Julien Carette, co‑CEO of Havas Paris, Arielle Schwab, VP at Havas Paris, Thomas Khaski, founder and CEO of Format and Mayada Boulos, co‑CEO of Havas Paris
Founded in 2021 by Thomas Khaski, Format has rapidly established itself as one of the most dynamic players in next‑generation corporate influence communications in France.
Havas Paris and Format are joining forces at a time of profound transformation. As executives and companies build their own communication channels alongside traditional media, content creators emerge as influential opinion leaders, and social media reshapes the flow of information, the two will combine capabilities and talent to define modern communications consulting.
A strategic partnership to shape the future of corporate influence communications
For Havas Paris, the agency co-headed by Mayada Boulos and Julien Carette, this acquisition represents a new driver of growth and transformation in a high-potential market. It strengthens Havas Paris’ digital influence expertise by leveraging Format’s agile and innovative approach, while expanding its strategic consulting and media relations offering to better serve scale-ups, SMEs and mid-sized companies.
For Format, this alliance marks a new phase of development. It will enable the agency to leverage the scale and creativity of Havas’ network, as well as access broader areas of expertise, to accelerate its growth and deploy its offering at scale.
As part of this acquisition, Format’s teams will also join H/Advisors, the Group’s global strategic advisory communications network present in more than 20 countries, providing access to international clients.
Accelerating development in line with Format's model
Format will retain its name, structure and operating model, preserving the entrepreneurial spirit and agility that drive its success. Its founder, Thomas Khaski, will remain CEO, and the agency will continue to operate autonomously. This partnership opens up new development opportunities by combining Havas Paris’ recognised creative, editorial and strategic expertise with Format’s agile content production and activation capabilities.
Yannick Bolloré, chairman and CEO of Havas said, “We are delighted to welcome Thomas Khaski and the entire Format team to the Havas family. Their expertise strengthens our global capabilities in corporate influence communications, at a time of rapid transformation and convergence across communication channels. This partnership with Havas Paris is fully aligned with our ambition to build differentiated advisory platforms that give our clients a real competitive edge.”
Thomas Khaski, founder of Format stated, “Format was born from the belief that corporate communications must be reinvented in an era defined by a massive shift in information consumption towards social media and the rise of new opinion leaders. Joining Havas give us access to a broader playing field while preserving what defines our DNA: agility, operational excellence, and close proximity to new areas of influence.”
Arielle Schwab, VP at Havas Paris, in charge of Influence activities remarked, “Format’s arrival within the Havas Paris ecosystem is a fantastic opportunity to accelerate today and co-create the corporate influence models of tomorrow. With Format, we are bringing in a pure-play ‘Influence 3.0’ player, a cutting-edge, AI-driven structure rooted in technology and corporate social platforms. Combined with the strength, creativity, and network of Havas Paris, our clients will benefit from the very best of both worlds.”
Stéphane Fouks, executive VP of Havas and executive chairman of H/Advisors said, “I have been following the work of Thomas Khaski and the Format team for several years. Their approach to new forms of influence, blending digital platforms, traditional media, and content creators, is particularly relevant. With Format, we are strengthening this expertise for the H/Advisors network and building on a future‑ready model.”
