Havas Creative North America CEO Paul Marobella Is Leaving After 3 Years In the Role
Global chief client officer Stephanie Nerlich is taking on an additional title
Havas Creative North America chairman and CEO Paul Marobella is leaving the organization after eight years.
Havas will not seek a replacement in the role Marobella has held for the past three years, but global chief client officer Stephanie Nerlich will take on the additional responsibility of overseeing Havas North America creative agencies, which include Arnold’s Boston office in addition to Havas offices, and the additional title of executive managing partner, North America. She will continue to report directly to Havas global CEO Chris Hirst.
“We believe that our organization is simply the sum of our people. To be a leading creative company, we must have more than our fair share of top talent and a range of diverse skillsets and backgrounds,” Hirst said in a statement. “Stephanie fits that bill – she’s a proven leader who drives results and we are extremely lucky to have her on the team.”
A statement from Havas characterized Marobella’s departure as a mutual decision, while thanking him for his leadership over the past three years and his contributions to Havas Chicago and in co-founding Havas’ Annex, a unit launched by the Chicago office focusing on millennial and Gen Z consumers. Marobella took on the North America CEO role in 2017 with the departure of Havas Americas CCO Toygar Bazarkaya, after roles as CEO and president of Havas Chicago and Havas Chicago Group.
Nerlich joined Havas as global chief client officer at the beginning of the year. Before joining Havas, she spent nearly four years at MDC Partners, where she served as evp, partner development and talent and became part of the executive committee assuming the responsibilities of CEO Scott Kauffman following his departure.
“In the 6 months I’ve been at Havas, I’ve seen first-hand a values-based organization that believes in making a meaningful difference. I’m inspired by the opportunities ahead, as Havas Creative Group’s agencies are home to some of the most talented people in the industry,” Nerlich said in a statement. “I look forward to helping all of our agencies across North America capitalize on the current momentum we have, as we shape our future together as a leading creative network.”
