Havas has overhauled its UK and Ireland Village network, with Manchester among three key operations that will come under the leadership of newly promoted CEO Patrick Affleck.
Affleck, currently chief executive of Havas Media Network UK & Ireland, has been promoted to CEO of Havas Village operations across Manchester, London and Dublin as the advertising giant moves to bring its different capabilities closer together.
The group said the restructure was designed to meet growing client demand for more seamless, integrated solutions that can accelerate growth locally and globally. The move comes amid more turmoil at fellow giant WPP, which is expected to lose another 1,000 jobs before the end of the year.
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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 take responsibility across Havas’ media, creative, data, CX, PR, consulting, employee branding and design capabilities.
Havas said the changes are intended to create “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 new structure will also accelerate adoption of Converged.AI, Havas’ proprietary operating system, as the group looks to provide more integrated services across the customer journey.
Affleck joined Havas in 2020 and has since led the transformation of Havas Media Network UK & Ireland, expanding its capabilities across data, technology, B2B, content, social marketing, experiential, connected commerce and creativity.
The business has doubled in size under his leadership, with Havas crediting its more integrated approach with helping it attract and retain brands including Red Bull, Ocado, Domino’s and the BBC.
Affleck will report to Peter Mears, global CEO of Havas Media Network, and Donna Murphy, global CEO of Havas Creative and Health Networks.
The restructure also sees Gaetan Durocher appointed COO of Havas UK & Ireland Village while continuing as CFO and COO of Havas Creative Network.
Dominique Bergantino moves into the newly created role of head of integration, with the leadership team also including chief people officer Ewen MacPherson and chief impact officer Rosie Kitson.
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.”
