Havas Worldwide has named Matt Howell as global chief digital officer.
Howell (pictured) will lead digital efforts throughout the network with a focus on expanding the agency’s offering and delivering digital enterprises in alignment with Havas’s “Together” strategy.
Howell is no stranger to the Havas network, having previously served as global chief digital officer for Arnold Worldwide beginning in 2011 and then for Havas Creative Group from 2012 to 2014.
He is returning to the network after spending the past year as partner at Vermonster LLC, a design and technology consultancy specialising in product development.
Howell has extensive experience in digital marketing and strategy, including nearly three years as president of the creative agency Modernista! and over three years at R/GA, where he managed the Nike account, overseeing the creation of NIKEiD and Nike+.
“As we expand our offering to clients, it is important that we continue to push creativity’s borders,” said global CEO Andrew Benett.
“Howell is a proven innovative leader who is passionate about fusing technology with marketing, as well as creating new ways to connect brands with consumers. We are delighted about Howell’s return, as he will add rigor and structure to our offering of integrated digital capabilities globally.”
Meanwhile, the agency also appointed Toygar Bazarkaya as chief creative officer for the Americas – a first for the creative agency network. Bazarkaya will focus on strengthening the agency’s creative capabilities and building a community among creative teams throughout North and South America.
Bazarkaya joins Havas from BBDO New York, where he served as executive creative officer for nearly six years. Prior to that role, he was the chief creative officer of BBDO in Germany, where he brought the agency back into the creative rankings. While at BBDO, he led many brands such as Visa, Mercedes, Gillette, Campbell’s, MLB, American Red Cross, Dubai Tourism, and Dove Chocolate.
His career also includes time at world-class creative agencies such as Jung von Matt and Springer & Jacoby in Hamburg, DM9DDB in São Paulo, Mullen in Boston, and DDB New York. His work has won over 600 awards for his clients, including more than 20 Cannes Lions for a dozen brands.
Howell and Bazarkaya will begin their new roles in the next month and will report to Benett. Both will be based in New York.
