Havas Integrates Groups—Creative CEO Chris Hirst Departs

Havas is set to integrate its Creative and Health networks in a move that will see Havas Creative's global chief executive (CEO) Chris Hirst depart, leaving Havas Health & You CEO Donna Murphy to take overall responsibility for the two teams. As part of a transformation plan to simplify its structure through the “Together” strategy, the group will bring the creative and health divisions closer together under Murphy, who has spent three decades at Havas. Further leadership changes will see Peter Mears also become chairman of the Havas NA Village in addition to his role as CEO of Havas’ Global Media Group, bringing a more unified approach to the Group’s largest region. Steve Netzley, founder and CEO of the Havas Edge Performance Network, will bring his strong expertise and knowledge of the performance marketing industry to the leadership team by joining the Havas Group Executive Committee. In preparation for the move, Elizabeth Egan was named as CEO of HH&Y Europe in June, reporting to Murphy. As well as the European health operation, Egan will also oversee the expansion of the division into APAC overseen by Charles Houdoux, CEO of APAC and LATAM at HH&Y. Shifts in leadership Chris Hirst joined Havas from Grey Group in 2015 having led the WPP creative agency’s U.K. operations. He was initially CEO Havas U.K. and Europe during which time he was charged with restructuring Havas Europe as well as leading “the transformation of the group’s U.K. business” with the integration of the 10 agencies operating there under a single profit and loss structure and relocating them to its headquarters in King’s Cross, London. He was subsequently promoted to lead the global creative network in 2019 which at the time meant leading over 8,000 people in Havas Villages (the name given to the network’s integrated office structure) around the world. Meanwhile Donna Murphy, who is based in New York, is credited with supporting the progress of the health business during that time, building Havas Health & You (HH&Y) while leading around 6,000 employees around the world across 70 countries. "The key determinant of any great partnership is a sum that is greater than both parts," Murphy said of the integration. "Bringing together the exceptional global brand leadership of Havas Health & You with the dynamic creative talent and unique blend of assets in the Creative Group produces something truly unique for our client partners and teams across the globe." She added that the combination would result in a "unified, best-in-class agency offering" that would "support the success of the world's best and brightest brands." Yannick Bolloré, chairman and CEO of Havas Group, thanks Hirst for his work and explained that the group was aiming to "reinvent" itself in order to build "momentum" and "deepen the integration" between it's business units. Of Murphy's achievements within Havas he added: "Through her proven leadership, Donna has built the prototype for the end-to-end consultative partner that brands need today. Layered with our creative force, what we can offer health and consumer brands alike is powerful." Havas Media Group Offers Free Ad Ethics Certification to Over 9,000 Global Staff and Clients

Leadership & Talent

Havas Creative CEO Departs With Health Integration Planned—Donna Murphy to Run Both

The HH&Y CEO will take charge of the two groups globally as the networks aim for closer alliance

Stephen Lepitak

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Stephen Lepitak