As an integrated marketing communications agency, Havas Ortega is known for its collaborations with brands in the Philippines, working across media and creatives. However, more than providing solutions for brands, the agency is committed to ‘making a meaningful difference.’ In an industry that often places products and profit over people, the agency thinks differently.
Across initiatives, Havas Ortega has shown its dedication to social impact, making it stand out in the Philippine marketing industry and beyond.
In MARKETECH APAC’s latest Agency Leadership Decoded series, Jos Ortega, chairman and CEO at Havas Ortega, shares how he leads the team towards its ambitions for people, both within and outside the agency. Baring his leadership philosophy, Jos provides a glimpse into the agency’s workings throughout the years.
Making a difference
For Jos, leadership is about creating and nurturing spaces for possibilities.
Sharing his philosophy, Jos said, “Leadership is creating a bonfire of possibility and letting extraordinary people gather around its light. My philosophy is simple: keep asking “What’s next?” and build a place where people feel brave enough to answer. Growth happens in that sacred unrest.”
While helping talents unlock their potential, Havas is also tapping into insights, using them to empower the agency and its clients.
“Inspired by insights from our pre-pandemic Millennial Codes Study, we launched the TALK Program to open conversations around mental health long before it became a corporate headline,” Jos shared.
Taking this move further, Havas Ortega launched something unique, making ripples across the industry.
Explaining the KITA Initiative, Jos said, “It started as a spark of passion and grew into a platform empowering women to lead change and claim their space. The advocacy for women empowerment has attracted partnerships with major corporations, proving that purposeful creativity can drive real-world collaboration and impact.”
“What started as a campaign is now a movement with over ten partnerships and pledges from companies, foundations, and nonprofits. More importantly, more women entrepreneurs are being seen, heard, and empowered to grow sustainable, profitable businesses,” he added.
However, Havas’ edge is in its ‘Converged’ strategy, which combines its creativity, media, data, and technology capabilities. Through the Havas Village, the agency can collaborate across disciplines, solidifying its commitment.
“At Havas Ortega, we believe creativity should do more than capture attention. It should make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and in society,” Jos said.
From ambitions to realities
Looking back on the agency’s challenges, Jos states, “When storms come, leaders don’t just protect the ship. They remind people why they set sail. Every agency faces tough moments, but the real test is how you hold your people together when the ground shifts beneath you.”
Jos recalled how the agency had to survive during the pandemic, which he compared to “sailing in fog.” The health crisis caused uncertainties for Havas, with clients pausing campaigns and teams working remotely.
Through the pandemic, Jos led with clarity and calm. He said, “I kept communication open, sometimes daily, because silence breeds fear. I also kept reminding our team why we exist — to create work that matters and to support each other as humans first.”
“I’ve learned that the hardest times are where purpose proves its worth. That’s when teams become more than colleagues. They become believers in what’s possible,” he added.
Amidst its achievements, including the success of the KITA Initiative and the creation of its full CPA model, Havas Ortega continues to chase new ambitions.
“Leadership turns bold ambitions into realities that people can believe in. At Havas Ortega, I believe that when you set a bold mission and build a culture of trust, people rise beyond what they thought possible,” Jos said.
Beyond campaigns, Havas Ortega is launching initiatives that are changing the standard. Under Jos’ leadership, Havas has become a space where creativity, technology, and empathy converge and thrive. Going beyond mere advertising, the agency is igniting meaningful conversations, leading to meaningful change.
