Havas has overhauled its Village network across the UK and Ireland, promoting Havas Media Network chief executive Patrick Affleck to CEO of operations in London, Manchester, and Dublin.
The group says the move is designed to meet growing client demand for more seamless, integrated solutions that accelerate growth both locally and globally.
Working alongside Mark Whelan, who continues as chairman and group chief creative officer of Havas Village UK and global creative partner of Havas Creative Network, Affleck will assume responsibility across Havas’ media, creative, data, CX, PR, consulting, employee branding and design capabilities, bringing the full breadth of Havas closer together around client needs.
Havas says the shake-up is aimed at creating “a more connected growth hub, giving clients access to talent and end-to-end marketing expertise across disciplines while reinforcing London’s position as one of Havas’ most important global hubs”.
The model reflects Havas’ global ambition to combine creativity, media, technology and human expertise to build more desirable brands and drive sustained business growth.
The new structure will also accelerate adoption of Converged.AI, Havas’ proprietary operating system, to enable more integrated, client-centric solutions across the customer journey.
Since joining Havas in 2020 Affleck has led the business transformation of Havas Media Network UK & Ireland, expanding and diversifying capabilities across data, technology, B2B, content, social marketing, experiential, connected commerce and creativity.
Under his leadership, the business has doubled in size and has evolved to operate in a more integrated and agile way for clients, helping attract and retain globally influential brands including Red Bull, Ocado, Domino’s and the BBC.
Affleck will report into Peter Mears, global CEO of Havas Media Network, and Donna Murphy, global CEO of Havas Creative and Health Networks.
Meanwhile, Gaetan Durocher has been appointed COO of Havas UK & Ireland Village, while continuing in his role as CFO and COO of Havas Creative Network, with Dominique Bergantino moving into the newly created role of head of integration.
Together with Affleck and Whelan, they will work alongside chief people office Ewen MacPherson, and chief impact officer Rosie Kitson to foster the cultural, collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit that Havas’ insists define the Village model.
Havas chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said: “As our third-largest country worldwide, with more than 1,500 talented professionals, the UK represents a critically important growth market for Havas. It is also home to a rich heritage of Village collaboration, best-in-class talent and delivery of groundbreaking client work that pushes the boundaries of creativity, innovation and effectiveness.
“Based on this foundation, we’re excited to unveil a new model and leadership for the market that deepens this collaboration and harnesses the power of integration excellence to benefit client growth. Paddy’s ability to unite talent around client challenges makes him the natural leader to accelerate our integrated strategy across the UK and Ireland.”
Affleck added: “In the face of increasing complexity, brands need strategic partners who unify thinking across disciplines, drive commercial clarity and bring pace, accountability and efficiency to execution.
“This is where Havas truly comes into its own. We have an extraordinary mix of talent across media, creative, CX, production and specialist disciplines that are united by a common entrepreneurial culture that thrives on collaboration, creativity and a strong desire to solve challenges.
“My priority is to build on our strengths to create even greater opportunity for our clients, their customers and our people who make this happen every day.”
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