Havas Group has announced the appointment of James Wright as global ghairman of Havas PR Collective and CEO of Havas PR North America.
The group said in a statement that the move will ensure continued alignment of the earned, experiential and content offerings across the organisation, as it enters the second part of its ‘Together’ strategy.
This new phase aims to streamline Havas Group’s offerings into totally integrated verticals across the 52 Havas Villages around the world.
Havas PR Collective is the PR and communications arm of the Havas Group, comprising over 40 agencies around the world and more than 1,500 professionals across multiple disciplines.
In his new role, Wright will both drive the North America business, which has significant expansion plans, and spearhead more unified collaboration to its global offering, focusing on creativity, technology and innovation.
Wright is currently the group CEO of the Havas-owned Red Agency Australia, and responsible for Havas-owned PR agencies across the Asia-Pacific region.
He concurrently serves as chief commercial officer for Havas Group and Australia and New Zealand.
Havas Group chairman and CEO Yannick Bollore said: “We are very excited that James has accepted the opportunity to lead our global PR business.
“His impact in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region in the PR industry is peerless, and his experience is what we need to deliver a strong, cohesive earned and experiential offer that will attract the best talent and future-focused clients.”
Commenting on his new roles, Wright said: “Between Havas and the Vivendi Group, we have unparalleled access to talent, data, technology and innovation.
“This is an incredible opportunity to position Havas PR as the global industry leader that maximises client outcomes in the changing face of media, technology and consumer behaviour.
“I look forward to working with our teams in the US and around the world to make this vision a reality.”
Anthony Freedman, chairman of Havas Group in Australia and New Zealand, said: “Over the last seven years, James has built Red Agency from a handful of people to a multi award-winning team of more than 80 people with an enviable list of clients.
“It is testament to the great work he has done during his time in Australia that he now has this incredible opportunity in New York. We will miss him of course, but have an excellent team who will continue the great work at Red.
“I would like to thank him for all he has done for our businesses over the years and wish him well with the exciting adventure that lies ahead.”
