Havas Paris Ends #MeToo Investigation, Names New Co-Chair

Havas Paris has announced the outcome of its internal #MeToo investigation which has led to the departure of its creative director Christophe Coffre, although chief executive Julien Carette has returned. The internal investigation, which began on May 9, saw the pair step down while the investigation was conducted following anonymous accusations made on the Instagram account Balance Ton Agency (Balance Your Agency). The account, which states that it “reports abuse in advertising,” currently has 338,000 followers and has highlighted the actions of two individuals from Havas—cited as “JC” and “CC”—with testimonies published about their behavior. The page was started by Anne Boistard in September 2020 as a response to her own professional burnout as well as the #MeToo movement and growing accusations across the advertising sector of inappropriate conduct. An internal note, which said that Havas Group “condemns all forms of harassment within its Villages,” explained that the company’s Compliance department had commissioned an independent law firm to lead the process and report its findings. 28 testimonies were collected from current and former employees and submitted as a report to management on June 11. Conclusions were then presented to the Group's Joint Commission and Havas Paris’ Works Council. According to Havas the testimonies on the behavior of the accused executives “did not make it possible to prove some of the serious facts alleged on BTA” but that the “inappropriate behavior” of one of them led to the implementation of a disciplinary procedure. Leadership changes following investigation Carette returned to work having stepped aside during the investigation, and will be involved in “a new collegial governance structure” that will be put in place as a result. Meanwhile Coffre did not resume his duties. The statement also claimed that the report described Havas Paris as “a lively agency with a pleasant work environment for many of its employees” although some testimonies cited the workload as creating difficulties to balance professional and personal lives. Consequently, the agency has decided to launch, with the help of a third-party firm, “a process of reflection and consultation to restructure its culture and renew its managerial pact.” An anti-harassment system put in place—consisting of a telephone hotline and a chat room—will also continue, as will other support channels for reporting harassment. Former advisor to the prime minister Mayada Boulos joins Havas Paris as co-chair At the same time, the Paris agency has also named Mayada Boulos as executive co-chair as it embarks on its “new era.” Boulos was formerly a communications advisor to the former French prime minister Jean Castex who resigned in May. From Sept. 1 Boulos will take up the role alongside Julien Carette, also executive co-chair, and will be supported by Fabrice Conrad, general manager, responsible for leading the agency's management team. “Mayada is a very great professional whom we are pleased to find again. Her role and her expertise will be crucial in defining and writing a major new chapter for the Havas Paris agency,” commented Raphaël de Andreis, CEO, Havas Village France. The shift in leadership comes as Havas has experienced other leadership changes with Chris Hirst leaving as global CEO of the Creative network and New York CEO Laura Maness joining Grey as its global CEO. Donna Murphy, CEO of Havas’ health business, will also run the Creative network following Hirst’s departure. One Minute Briefs Founder Nick Entwistle Accused of Assault by Former Contract Employee

Leadership & Talent

Havas Paris Ends #MeToo Investigation, Names New Co-Chair

CEO Julien Carette has returned to work while creative director Christophe Coffre has not

Stephen Lepitak

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Stephen Lepitak