Havas Group has announced it will be creating a new agency in Australia by bringing together two of its own.
Host and Havas Sydney will become Host/Havas, and will have a combined team of 220 people – around 100 of whom are digital specialists.
This is complemented by a further 120 people at sister agencies Red Agency and Havas Media, which are also based in the Havas Village Sydney on Clarence Street.
Anthony Freedman (pictured above), chairman of Havas Group for Australia and New Zealand, said: “We have an amazing opportunity to bring together two great agencies to create one bigger, brilliant one.
“Host/Havas will be one of the largest agencies in Sydney, where cut-through creativity meets state-of-the-art marketing science. It will blend network scale with start-up spirit, and is another important step in our successful ‘Better Together’ global strategy.”
The new agency will be led by Host CEO Laura Aldington (pictured above), and she will be supported by current Havas Sydney managing director Dan Smith (pictured above, left), who assumes the role of managing director at Host/Havas.
The remainder of the new agency’s management team will include all senior personnel from both Host and Havas Sydney, with the exception of Anthony Gregorio, group CEO of Havas, who will be leaving the agency.
Freedman thanked Gregorio for his 15-year contribution to the agency.
“He leaves a phenomenal legacy and we wish him every success in his future endeavours,” he said.
Commenting on his departure, Gregorio said: “I’m very proud of the businesses I have helped to build during my 15 years with the Havas Group in Australia.
“In particular over the last five years, Havas has become well known for its integrated approach to brand building across creative, PR and media.
“Host/Havas will be an exciting new proposition for the group in Australia, but I feel this is the perfect opportunity to draw a line under my Havas adventure and look for new opportunities after a well-earned break.
“I wish Anthony, Laura, Dan and the rest of the Host/Havas team and the wider Havas Village the very best.”
