With its long-rooted history of making a meaningful difference to brands and people, HAVAS has cultivated a culture of agility and perfect synergy within its so-called ‘Havas Villages’ to provide clients with tailor-made solutions supporting their positive transformation.
At its Malaysian operations, HAVAS has done significant work for its clients, blending creativity, PR, media, events, CX, and social expertise. Clients include 100PLUS, Domino’s Pizza, Sanofi, and several Reckitt brands.
With an agency tracing its roots to the original French agency founded in 1835, how do its Malaysian operations keep up with the ever-changing local landscape? And how does its leadership play a role in maintaining stability in the local advertising industry?
For our latest Agency Leadership Decoded, we spoke with Nizwani Shahar, chief executive officer at HAVAS Malaysia, to understand her leadership style within the agency, what initiatives they are implementing to boost creativity and productivity among their employees, and her advice for industry leaders navigating the ever-changing landscape of marketing and advertising.
Bearing a ‘creativity with purpose’ philosophy
A key aspect of her leadership within the agency is bearing in mind the ‘creativity with purpose’ philosophy. For Nizwani, leadership isn’t just about managing outcomes; it’s also about building a foundation where people feel inspired to do their best work and grow along the way.
“I believe creativity is our superpower, but it thrives best in an environment of trust, inclusivity, and shared vision,” she stated.
She also shares that as a leader, she aims to cultivate a culture where everyone feels empowered to think big, take risks, and collaborate openly.
“Leadership, to me, also means leading by example—listening actively, being accessible, and adapting to the ever-evolving needs of the team and the industry,” she added.
Initiative with people at the centre of everything
True to HAVAS’ commitment to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, Nizwani stated that its initiatives are rooted in the mission that people are always at the centre of everything.
A good example of the agency’s local initiative is its free French lessons for all Havas Malaysia employees. For Nizwani, the initiative helps employees learn a new language and better understand HAVAS’ French roots.
“A first of its kind in Malaysia, we pay homage to our French roots by tying up with Alliance Française Kuala Lumpur to provide free French lessons at the agency once a week,” she said.
Another initiative they have is focusing on career growth and mentorship through structured programs where senior team members guide younger talent, fostering a learning culture within the agency.
“This not only helps develop skills but strengthens bonds across the team. By investing in their growth, passions, and well-being, we create a motivated team that produces meaningfully different work for clients,” she explained.
Building a strong team amidst industry evolution
In terms of challenges, Nizwani shared that one of the ongoing challenges has been ensuring they stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. From her perspective, the advertising landscape demands that they innovate continuously while staying true to the creative roots that define them.
“To address this, we’ve worked to diversify our capabilities while ensuring all work is anchored in creativity. Whether it’s digital, activation, or brand experiences, our focus remains on producing work that is both impactful and meaningful to audiences,” she stated.
Another challenge for them has been talent retention in a competitive market. To combat this, their strategy has been aimed at creating an environment that people want to be part of a place where they can grow, be recognised, and collaborate with some of the best minds in the business. For Nizwani, building this culture has been instrumental in their success.
With such a strategy in mind, she explains that one of her most significant milestones has been building a team of some of Malaysia’s most talented and creative minds.
“It’s not just their calibre but their humility and collaborative spirit that truly set them apart. This combination has helped us deliver outstanding work for clients and cemented our reputation as an ideas-first agency,” she said.
She also said that they have seen significant growth in client partnerships, with major brands trusting them to help them navigate complex and dynamic markets.
“This speaks to the strength of our work and the relationships we’ve built. Ultimately, the most impactful milestone has been creating an agency culture rooted in creativity, trust, and humility—a foundation that sets us up for continued success,” she added.
Leadership led by creativity and evolution
When asked about her topmost advice about inspiring future advertising industry leaders, she said leaders should stay anchored to creativity while embracing evolution. While the advertising industry constantly changes, the ability to think creatively and solve problems with purpose will always be at its core.
“Future leaders should also recognise that their greatest asset is their people. Inspire them, empower them, and create a culture where they can thrive,” she said.
She also quipped that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions, being open to ideas, and building trust.
“Remember that humility is a strength. Listen, learn, and never stop growing. When leaders lead with humility and purpose, they inspire teams to achieve great things together,” she concluded.
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Leaders in this field must inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and adapt to emerging trends while maintaining a clear vision for success. By setting the tone for innovation, encouraging diverse perspectives, and staying attuned to market shifts, effective leaders empower their teams to deliver impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences.
