The founding father of Leopoldo Rodés has passed away in a road accident at the age of 80.
Upon his creation of Tiempo in 1958 and its seperate media planning agency in 1978, Rodés helped build many of the departments which now form the wider Havas Media group in a career spanning over half a century.
Yannick Bollore, Havas Group chief executive, tweeted his sadness at the news. The accident occured in Catalonia on Wednesday with the funeral scheduled for 16 July.
Following its acquisition by Havas in 1999, Media Planning was merged with Mediapolis to form Media Planning Group. The agency expanded rapidly beyond its southern European heartland to become a global media player, eventually rebranding to Havas Media in 2013.
Leopoldo Rodés was succeeded by his son Fernando Rodes Vila as chief executive of the agency in 1994, with Fernando’s brother Alfonso Rodes Vila assuming the reins in 2006.
He stepped down as chairman in 2001, becoming a non-executive director.
He was perhaps better known in his home city of Barcelona. In 1985 Leopoldo Rodés headed the committee for Barcelona’s bid to host the 1992 Olympic Games.
Born in Barcelona, Rodés was chairman of the committee which bid for the 1992 Olympic Games and once they were awarded to the city he formed part of the executive committee. He was also a lawyer and was recognised by the City Council for his contribution towards the successful Olympic bid, as well as the development of the Olympic cultural programme. In 1999 he also received the Creu de Sant Jordi award. Barcelona City Council has expressed its condolences to family and friends of the businessman and lawyer.
