Paris: Havas has created the new position of Chief Strategy Officer and appointed Raphaël de Andréis to the role, reinforcing its focus on client-centric growth and AI-enabled transformation across its global network.
Raphaël de Andréis will continue to serve as CEO, Western Europe, while taking on the additional responsibility of Chief Strategy Officer. The move aligns with Havas’ “Growth, Powered by Desire” positioning and aims to strengthen the group’s strategic direction, enhance collaboration across its global operations, and deliver greater value for clients.
Reporting directly to Yannick Bolloré, Chairman & CEO of Havas, de Andréis will work closely with leaders across the group’s Creative, Media, Health and Content at Scale networks. His mandate includes shaping Havas’ global strategy, guiding its brand portfolio roadmap, accelerating alignment across Havas Villages, and driving an integrated approach powered by the company’s operating system, Converged.AI.
The newly created role is designed to ensure strategic consistency across the organisation while strengthening collaboration between networks and disciplines. Havas said the appointment supports its ambition to deliver a more efficient operating model while enhancing its market differentiation through creativity, technology, data and execution.
Commenting on the appointment, Yannick Bolloré, Chairman & CEO, Havas, said, “For our clients, unprecedented market changes bring both challenges and opportunities. To help them succeed in this complex environment, Havas must be the most client-focused communications group, bringing together technology, media, and world-class creativity to create desirable brand stories. Raphaël brings an international cross-disciplinary perspective and has been instrumental in shaping our Group’s Growth, Powered by Desire positioning. His appointment will further strengthen our ability to deliver integrated, high-impact strategies for our clients.”
Sharing his thoughts on the expanded role, Raphaël de Andréis, CEO Western Europe & Chief Strategy Officer, Havas, added, “I am delighted and honored by the trust Yannick Bolloré has placed in me to help strengthen Havas’ unique value proposition for brands. Our ambition is to build the most desirable organization in our industry, delivering clear and measurable impact, grounded in three core commitments: a technology-agnostic approach, creativity at the core, and a relentless focus on business outcomes for our clients.”
De Andréis brings nearly three decades of experience spanning creative, media and content businesses. He began his career at TBWA before joining BETC in 1996, where he later became President in 2007 and helped establish the agency as one of the world’s leading creative firms.
He subsequently served as Executive Vice President at Canal+ before joining Havas in 2013 as CEO of Havas Media Network France and President of Havas Productions. As a member of Havas’ Executive Committee, he has led the integration and expansion of Havas Village France while supporting the company’s growth across Western Europe.
In addition to his corporate leadership, de Andréis is also the author of two novels, AIR (2019) and MER (2022), which explore themes of technological and environmental transformation.
With the creation of the Chief Strategy Officer position, Havas is seeking to further integrate creativity, media, technology and AI capabilities across its global network as it continues to strengthen its client-focused operating model.
