Snapworx buys out Mobext Philippines from Havas, launches new agency

Mobext Philippines has split from Havas and is teaming up with independent agency Snapworx Digital to form Xiklab Digital, the largest Filipino-owned digital creative agency in the country.

Mobext was a mobile marketing agency arm of Havas Group globally. In the Philippines, Havas owned a majority stake, which was fully acquired by Snapworx in order to launch the new combined agency with approxtimately 100 staff, based in Bonifacio Global City.

Arthur Policarpio, the former CEO of Mobext Philippines, will now become chief executive of Xiklab Digital, with nearly 100 clients including including Toyota Motors Philippines, Ritemed, Pharex, The Bistro Group, Acer, House Foods and Lawson Philippines.

Xiklab provides a wide range of digital services including content development, social media marketing, performance marketing, search and mobile marketing and tech development.

Bingo Soriano, the former chief executive of Snapworx Digital, now becomes Xiklab Digital's international CEO and group CMO.

“We aspire to be known as the best digital creative company, not only in the Philippines but across the Asia Pacific region,” Soriano said. “Xiklab Digital is a 100% Filipino-owned company, and yet we will not be confined to our Philippine shores. We are committed to bringing digital creative excellence to the rest of the world."

The name Xiklab was inspired by the Tagalog word ‘siklab’, associated with 'fire'. As Xiklab Digital's new chairman, JJ Soriano, explained in a release: "Just like the game-changer that was fire, we in Xiklab Digital wake up every day with the burning desire to work with each brand that we partner with." 

Xiklab Digital board of directors, L-R: Doie Geroche, chief solutions officer; Bingo Soriano, CEO international & group chief marketing officer; JJ Soriano, chairman; Arthur Policarpio, group CEO; Mon Cayabyab, chief commercial officer; Jeremy Obial, chief technology officer.