MAM
Havas group acquires digital agency Immerse in Malaysia
MUMBAI: Havas group is strengthening its capabilities in the growing Malaysian market with the acquisition of award-winning digital agency Immerse, which will integrate with the group’s creative operations and will be rebranded as Havas Immerse.
Taking forward Havas’ pioneering Together strategy, Havas Immerse will become an integral part of Havas Village Malaysia by adding its digital prowess and client relationships to the group’s robust creative and media offering in the market.
Immerse was set up in 2004 as a digital agency primarily specialising in providing strategic creative consultancy and digital marketing solutions. The 50-people agency services a diverse portfolio of client brands in Malaysia and Singapore including Volvo, Mitsubishi Motors, F&N, Wrigley and a wide range of Unilever brands such as Dove and Magnum.
Havas Group chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said, “We would like to welcome Immerse to the Havas family. Immerse talent will further strengthen our expertise in Malaysia which is an extremely significant market for the Havas group. This acquisition signifies our commitment in this region of Southeast Asia that has witnessed a great momentum in the last few years.”
Following the acquisition, Immerse’s founders Jeffrey Tang and Kerry Khoo will join forces with Andrew Lee, managing director of Havas Malaysia, to lead Havas Immerse reporting into Vishnu Mohan, chairman and CEO of Havas Group Southeast Asia. Additionally, Kerry Khoo will take on the role of chief creative officer for Havas Immerse.
Jeffrey Tang and Kerry Khoo commented, “We have a great relationship with Havas’ local and regional leadership teams, and have been attracted to their entrepreneurial spirit and the agency’s cohesive Havas Village proposition. The Havas Village concept of bringing together the best talent and disciplines under the same roof is especially exciting, as we now have the opportunity to hack our own growth, and immediately offer a full suite of marketing services under one umbrella.”
Vishnu Mohan added, “Immerse reflects Havas’ collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit and we have shared a wonderful relationship with the team for several years. Keeping in mind our shared values and Immerse’s cutting edge digital expertise, Immerse will prove to be a great addition to Havas Village Malaysia.”
MAM
Worldwide Travel Insurance for Indian Travellers: How to Find a Plan Without Geographic Gaps in Your Protection
Travelling to more than one country can make insurance selection more complex, because a policy that looks broad at first may still leave certain destinations, transit points, or regions outside its scope. For Indian travellers, this can lead to gaps in cover during a medical emergency or travel disruption abroad.
Here’s a guide to understanding how worldwide coverage works, which plan types to review, and how to check for geographic exclusions before choosing a policy.
Why Geographic Coverage Matters in Travel Insurance
When travellers look for the best travel insurance, medical cover and premium often get early attention, but geographic scope matters just as much. A policy may appear broad while still limiting cover in certain countries, regions, or travel routes.
This can affect hospital access, emergency support, evacuation terms, and non-medical benefits. For Indian travellers visiting more than one destination, checking where the policy applies is an important way to avoid gaps in protection.
Types of Worldwide Travel Insurance Plans Available to Indians
Worldwide travel insurance may be available in different formats, and each one should be reviewed based on the route, trip pattern, and list of destinations.
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
This type of policy is generally chosen for one overseas journey with fixed departure and return dates. It may suit travellers visiting one country or more than one destination during the same trip. The policy still needs to be checked carefully to confirm whether every destination on the itinerary is covered during the full travel period.
Multi-Trip Annual Insurance
This type of plan may be suitable for travellers who visit different countries several times a year. It can be useful only when the policy’s covered regions match the countries included across those trips. Before choosing it, travellers should check trip duration limits, region-wise exclusions, and whether all intended destinations are covered under the annual plan.
Region-Specific Plans
Some policies are built for selected regions rather than for the whole world. These plans may be arranged by destination groups such as Asia, Europe, or broader international zones. They may be suitable in some cases, but they should be reviewed carefully if the journey includes stopovers, connecting countries, or travel beyond the listed region.
Comprehensive Worldwide Plans
These plans are usually reviewed by travellers who want broader international cover across multiple destinations. However, a plan described as worldwide may still have country-wise limits, separate terms for certain regions, or limits on healthcare access and emergency services. The wording should therefore be checked in detail before relying on the description alone.
Key Coverage Areas That Ensure Global Protection
A worldwide policy should be reviewed for the coverage points that matter when travel includes more than one country or a wider international route. These areas help show whether the plan is suitable for broader overseas travel and not limited to only a few listed destinations.
● Cover that applies to all countries listed in the itinerary, not only the main destination.
● Cover for transit stops and connecting countries that are part of the planned journey.
● Clear mention of excluded countries, restricted regions, or destinations not covered under the policy.
● Emergency medical and assistance support that remains available while travelling across different countries.
● Evacuation and repatriation terms that continue to apply during multi-country travel.
How to Check for Geographic Exclusions Before Buying
Geographic exclusions are often found in the detailed wording rather than in the headline promise of the plan. A careful review before purchase can help travellers understand whether the policy matches their travel route.
● Check the destination list in the policy schedule.
● Read whether excluded countries, sanctioned regions, or restricted zones are mentioned in the wording.
● Review whether transit stops and connecting destinations are mentioned as covered travel locations.
● Check if medical network access differs across countries even when the policy appears globally valid.
● Read whether adventure activities, cruises, or remote locations have separate geographic conditions.
● Review assistance and claim support terms to see if they apply equally across all covered destinations.
Conclusion
A travel insurance plan cannot be judged only by premium, destination label, or the word worldwide term alone. For Indian travellers, geographic scope needs close attention because exclusions and regional limits may affect how the policy works during the journey. A careful review of plan type, covered locations, medical support, and destination-specific terms may help reduce avoidable gaps.
