Marketing Featured ANZ

Havas Creative Group AU elevates Olly Taylor to inaugural chief strategy officer

by Kathleen Murata

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July 13, 2021

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Australia – Marketing and communications firm Havas Creative Group in Australia has announced a new leadership movement – the elevation of Olly Taylor, its former chief strategy officer at creative arm Host/Havas, to assume the newly created role of chief strategy officer.

Taylor is an industry strategy veteran who has worked at Host and its subsequent merged Host/Havas business for almost 18 years. He originally joined Host Sydney in 2003 as the agency’s first planning director.

Prior to joining Host, he worked as a senior planner at advertising agency Fallon in London, after beginning his career at another advertising company DMB&B in 1998.

As the first chief strategy officer of the Group, Taylor will be leading the overall strategic business of Host/Havas, Red Havas, One Green Bean, Havas Commerce, and a new research and insights capability, Havas Labs. His remit spans across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Furthermore, Taylor will be responsible for the development of IP and processes for world-class strategy across paid, earned, and owned media, on and offline.

Commenting on his new role, Taylor said that he is truly excited by the opportunity to now lead the creative group strategy across brand, creative communications, and data, as well as PR, and social among others.

“Alongside the team, I’m looking forward to developing integrated strategies that deliver great work, meaningful impact for brands, and results across the board. With such great brands in the Havas Creative Group, the opportunities are plentiful,” added Taylor.

Meanwhile, Havas Group ANZ’s Chairman Anthony Freedman shared Taylor joined Host as a young, but talented brand planner and immediately made an impact, playing a key role in the agency’s success and a long list of effectiveness awards.

“In the many years since, he’s become a completely integrated strategic thinker, a canny spotter of emerging talent, a much-respected agency leader, and a very dear friend. I don’t know why we didn’t give Olly this broader role years ago. It’s long overdue and much deserved,” said Freedman.