Havas Group has acquired a majority stake in Blink, a social media agency with a unique model which specializes in content and management of conversations between consumers and brands, assisting organizations to follow, understand and take part in the social media realm.
Blink was founded in 2007 by Sagi Chemetz, one of the first social media activists in Israel. It was the first content and social media agency in Israel and one of the first agencies in the social media field globally. Headquartered in Tel Aviv, the team of 35 experts work on digital and content strategy, content creation, social media management, community management, digital PR, crisis management and social and native media buying for its strong customer base which includes both blue-chip companies and SMEs, all leading players in their respective markets.
Yannick Bolloré, Havas Group CDO, said, “Social media has undeniably become one of the most powerful ways for brands to engage with consumers. Joining forces with an agency with the caliber of Blink will enhance our social media expertise as we export their approach to our other agencies all over the world.”
Chemetz, Blink founder and CEO, added, “We are very proud to partner with the Havas Group. It is another step towards our growth and innovation and it reflects a strong belief in our capabilities, our talented team and the unique creative atmosphere we have created at Blink over the years. In Havas we have found open-minded and creative partners and we are excited to become part of the Group. I believe it will allow us to move forward in fulfilling our vision to assist brands and organizations in better managing their social conversations in an open and creative way”.
Chemetz will remain CEO of Blink while Alberto Canteli, CEO Nordics CEE & Middle East of Havas, will oversee the agency’s integration into the Group.
Guillermo del Toro and Aaron Sorkin receive honorary degrees at AFI Conservatory commencement
The American Film Institute (AFI) conferred Doctorates of Fine Arts degrees, honoris causa, for contributions of distinction to the art of the moving image upon Academy Award®- and Emmy®-winning screenwriter, director and producer Guillermo del Toro and Academy Award®- and Emmy®-winning screenwriter and director Aaron Sorkin during the AFI Conservatory’s Class of 2026 commencement ceremony on Friday (8/7) at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Del Toro was introduced on stage by Academy Award®-winning actress and producer Octavia Spencer and Sorkin was introduced by Emmy®-winning actor and producer Bradley Whitford. The commencement celebrated the AFI Fellows’ completion of two years of concentrated study in AFI’s MFA program. The 128 graduating filmmakers specialized in one of six disciplines--Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design or Screenwriting--and collectively created 141 short films, roughly the equivalent of 19 feature films during their two years at AFI. The class comprises 52% female filmmakers, 37% domestic Fellows of color and 44% international filmmakers.
Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO, opened the ceremony by welcoming the graduating Fellows and their friends and families.
In accepting his AFI Honorary Degree, del Toro remarked, “Tell stories that matter to you. But more importantly, tell the stories that do not matter to anyone else. Those are the stories that need you. Those are the stories that would not exist if it wasn’t for you.”
Sorkin, in accepting his AFI Honorary Degree, shared with the graduating class, “Develop your own compass and trust it and, remember, the first person through a wall always gets hurt. Remember that you’re a citizen of this world and that... Read More