Havas Group has announced the acquisition of Catchi, a digital conversion rate optimisation (CRO) specialist across Australia and New Zealand.

The company has a collective 50 years’ domestic and international experience across its team, helping businesses to optimise their digital channels and convert their website visitors into leads and sales.

Catchi was founded in 2013 in Auckland by digital marketing experts Cornelius and Linda Boertjens before expanding to Australia in 2015 in Sydney and Melbourne under the leadership of Michaela Aguilar.

The business now has a team of over 15 consultants and technical experts across the trans-Tasman, with a client portfolio that includes ANZ, Genesis Energy, Southern Cross Health Society, Ticketek, Air New Zealand, Fairfax Media, Les Mills International, Foxtel, Aussie, and Energy Australia.

In addition to CRO, Catchi’s core services include personalisation, digital analytics and insights, and technology consultancy and implementation.

Havas Group CEO Yannick Bolloré said: “The acquisition of Catchi forms part of an ongoing strategy to ensure that we are able to provide cutting-edge technology solutions and the most complete integrated marketing services offering in the ANZ market through our Village model.

“I am delighted to welcome the team to the Havas Family.”

Anthony Freedman, chairman of Havas Group in Australia and New Zealand, added: “We are delighted to welcome Catchi on board as leading experts in their field.

“Their understanding of the role that technology can play in delivering more effective digital marketing solutions is a natural fit and extension to our current capabilities.

“We remain committed to being Australia’s most progressive marketing communications company, blending market-leading creative thinking with state-of-the-art marketing science.

“We will continue to develop both capabilities by attracting top talent, developing new capabilities and acquiring companies who are leaders in their field.”

Boertjens said: “This is a very exciting milestone for Catchi. We have been proud to deliver consistently strong and tangible results for so many clients, and provide great value and insights that businesses have been able to take advantage of to make their marketing budgets go further.

“Now we have an opportunity to take our business to the next level by being able to access Havas’ global client network and expertise, which will also benefit our current clients.

“We’re thrilled to join forces with the Havas Group and become part of its progressive offering, helping to deliver even greater efficiencies and impact on clients’ marketing activities.”

Photo (L-R): Linda Boertjens, Cornelius Boertjens, Michaela Aguilar, Rogan Gilhespe