Havas Group launches new agency Host/Havas; Anthony Gregorio departs Havas after 15 years
Havas Group today announced it will be creating a new agency in Australia, bringing together two of its advertising agencies, Host and Havas Sydney to become Host/Havas.
This move further expands the Group’s capabilities and is the next step for the Australian business in delivering the Havas global “together” strategy that sees the co-location of its agencies in Villages to advance significant opportunities for clients and its staff.
The new Host/Havas creative agency 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.
Says Anthony Freedman (above right), chairman Havas Group ANZ: “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 agency will be led by Host CEO Laura Aldington (above centre), who becomes CEO of Host/Havas and she will be supported by current Havas Sydney managing director, Dan Smith (above left), who assumes the MD role of 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 (below left), group CEO of Havas, who will be leaving the agency.
Says Freedman: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank Anthony for his huge contribution over many years. He leaves a phenomenal legacy and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
Says Gregorio: “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.”
15 Comments
I’ve never worked with anyone as human as Ant. An absolute gem of a person who truly values people and just gets what it’s all about. All the best for the next thing Ant, you’ll smash it wherever you go.
Best of luck Gregorio. One of the genuine good ones in the industry.
Congratulations Laura – i have no doubt you will make that merger a massive success.
Two struggling agencies joining together in an attempt to keep the lights on.
Wow! Ant was the backbone of the agency… Ant, have a nice break and come back stronger than ever at a place that deserves you.
That explains the slew of redundancies.
I’ve worked for lots of MDs // CEOs all over the world and there are very few as thoughtful, personable and caring as Anthony Gregorio.
Thanks, well done & all the best! 🙂
Creative leadership doesn’t even rate a mention.
Good luck for the future Ant
This guy is one of the best leaders I’ve worked under in the industry over 12 years and the Havas family will be truly at a loss without you at the helm. He created a great culture from the top down and while it’s clear the industry is struggling, it’s guys like this that make working in advertising worth while.
Awww! Raising a glass of gregocello to you ant!
AMAZING NEWS… congrats Laura & Anthony. x
Mergers usually have a victor and a victim. Usually the victor is the lesser who will proceed to eat the new entity from the inside and then it dies. Leaving people wondering why they did it in the first place.
Pinot Gregorio, a delicious drop that’s sweet on the pallet, while still refreshingly dry with a charming crisp finish. Cheers to you Ant you fucking legend.
Just like The Monkeys, another good independent gets swallowed up. Shame really.
Whole lot of talent here and I wish them all the best – particularly ol’ mate Gregorio, who is, as many comments attest, one of the best in the biz. Can;t wait to see where he smashes it next!
UIC