Havas has named Raphaël de Andréis as its first Chief Strategy Officer, alongside his role as CEO, Western Europe. Reporting to Yannick Bolloré, he will shape global strategy, strengthen brand alignment and drive AI-enabled integration across networks, reinforcing Havas’ ambition to be the most client-centric communications group.
Havas has announced the creation of a new senior role, appointing Raphaël de Andréis as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) in addition to his current responsibilities as CEO, Western Europe. The move underscores the group’s ambition to sharpen its global strategy and reinforce its positioning as the most client-centric and AI-enabled communications network.
Reporting directly to Yannick Bolloré, Chairman & CEO of Havas, de Andréis will collaborate closely with leaders across the Creative, Media, Health and Content at Scale networks. His remit includes guiding the brand portfolio roadmap, strengthening alignment across Havas Villages, and ensuring the integration of creativity, data, technology and execution through the group’s Converged.AI operating system.
The appointment reflects Havas’ “Growth, Powered by Desire” positioning, which emphasises the creation of desirable brand stories through a blend of creativity and technology. Bolloré highlighted the importance of the role in navigating unprecedented market shifts: “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.”
De Andréis expressed his enthusiasm for the expanded role, noting: “I am delighted and honoured 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 organisation 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.”
A long-standing figure within Havas, de Andréis joined the group in 1996 through BETC, where he later became President. His career has spanned leadership roles including Executive Vice President at Canal+, CEO of Havas Media Network France, and President of Havas Productions. As a member of the Executive Committee, he has been instrumental in developing Havas Village France and driving growth across Western Europe. His influence has also been central to shaping the group’s “Growth, Powered by Desire” strategy, which continues to guide Havas’ evolution in a rapidly changing communications landscape.
The creation of the CSO role signals Havas’ intent to deepen integration across its networks and disciplines, ensuring that creativity remains at the core while leveraging AI and data-driven insights. With de Andréis at the helm of strategy, Havas aims to deliver measurable impact for clients and strengthen its position as a global leader in communications.
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