Tag: Havas Malaysia

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.

***

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. 

Malaysia –100PLUS,  the isotonic sports drink by Fraser and Neave, has teamed up with Havas Malaysia for a new campaign that shifts the brand’s focus from a sports-centric beverage to a daily hydration solution for all Malaysians.

The campaign, titled ‘Dahagakan apa jua,’ or ‘For all you thirst for, seeks to broaden 100PLUS’ relevance beyond the sports arena, positioning it as a hydration partner for consumers in their everyday lives as they tackle daily challenges. 

Created by Havas Malaysia, the campaign connects with Malaysians from all walks of life by highlighting their personal journeys and aspirations, positioning 100PLUS as the essential drink that fuels their daily routines and path to success. This also represents a significant milestone for the brand as it shifts its perception from a performance drink to a more comprehensive role as the nation’s preferred hydration solution, enabling Malaysians to achieve their dreams.

The campaign features two short films highlighting four dynamic personalities: rising content creator Michiyo Ho, food delivery rider M. Syah, streetwear brand founder Tunway, and two-time Olympic cycling medallist Dato’ Azizulhasni Awang, the ‘Pocket Rocketman.’ Together, they represent the diverse aspirations of Malaysians, showcasing how 100PLUS fuels their journeys toward achieving their goals.

Accompanying the films is a series of social media posts that explore the unique aspirations of each personality, highlighting their true desires in life and showcasing how 100PLUS supports their journeys.

The campaign will launch across television, out-of-home (OOH) advertising, point-of-sale displays, and social media, running for two months from October to November in Malaysia.

Speaking about the campaign, Donevan Chew, chief creative officer of Havas Malaysia, shared, “We needed a compelling idea to reposition 100PLUS from a brand primarily associated with athleticism to one that addresses the daily hydration needs of all Malaysians. After all, 100PLUS, being packed with electrolytes, hydrates 33% faster than water.” 

“We are all participants in this journey called life, and our daily efforts to achieve our goals require constant hydration. Whether it is making a living, building a reputation, or making a difference, we all pursue what matters most to us. This inspired our campaign idea, ‘Dahagakan Apa Jua’ (For All You Thirst For),” Chew continued. 

Meanwhile, Leong Wai Yin, marketing director of F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd., said, “Havas Malaysia once again impressed us with their strategic creativity and holistic response to our brief. The team demonstrated nuanced insights into Malaysian consumers that will help us to continue to be the isotonic brand of choice for our nation.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – In an effort to create a revolutionary platform for outdoor advertising, pioneering car cleaning products company Armor All has recently partnered with global communications network Havas Malaysia.

This combined effort is set to leverage the use of abandoned cars as a medium to showcase the effectiveness of Armor All’s cleaning products. With Malaysia’s cars being neglected on several roadsides in the country, this particular campaign allows the restoration and renovation of the appearance of the abandoned vehicles.

Results of the project then observed that revival of the products was effective, with each of the vehicles displaying a vibrant orange sticker that says, ‘Ride Revived by Armour All.’ These stickers were positioned deliberately in the window showing the view of the car’s original condition. This created a compelling visual and drew attention to the transformation.

Following this campaign, Aaron Abner Ang, head of marketing for Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia at Energizer Holdings Inc., said, “Armor All has always been committed to delivering innovative and effective cleaning solutions to car owners. While our products enjoy broad visibility through our retail partners, we sought a medium that would unequivocally prove the efficacy of our products. The use of tangible evidence proved to be an effective way to achieve this goal. Additionally, these revived cars offer us a unique opportunity to raise awareness and bolster our brand’s credibility.”

“We are grateful for Havas’s dedication to the campaign. The creativity and proactive approach from the Havas team have made this collaboration a truly inspiring journey,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Donevan Chew, chief creative officer at Havas Malaysia shared, “Armor All equips car owners with all the tools needed to achieve a professionally cleaned look. We believe that there’s no better way to convince car owners of the efficacy of their products than by showcasing the results right before their eyes. The use of old, abandoned cars helps to amplify and dramatise the efficacy of Armor All’s products.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Nizwani Shahar, most recently the chief executive officer of Ogilvy Malaysia, has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Havas Malaysia. Shahar takes over from Andrew Lee, the current managing director for the group as he departs the agency following an early retirement.

In her new role, she will lead Havas Malaysia through a transformative journey of exponential growth. Her primary focus will be on fostering collaboration and partnerships, driving new business momentum, and building and leading future-ready teams. 

The appointment is effective immediately, and she will report directly to Alberto Canteli, CEO and chairman of Havas, Nordics, CEE & Middle East, SEA, Korea & Japan.

She brings with her a wealth of experience, having spent 12 years at Ogilvy Malaysia and serving as their CEO for 4 years. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to build strong brands and effectively integrate businesses and capabilities. Additionally, she is a staunch advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusivity, with a track record of driving profitability and talent retention.

Speaking on her new role, Shahar said, “Havas’ approach to integration sets it apart, and one of the primary reasons I chose to join this agency is its exceptional model supported by a high level of integration and robust digital capabilities. Moreover, the inspiring leadership at the helm, dedicated to realizing the vision of a truly integrated agency, further resonated with me. I’m truly excited to take on the new challenge and look forward to working with the team.”

Meanwhile, Canteli commented, “I would like to thank Andrew for his contribution to our Malaysia operations and wish him the very best for his future endeavors. He has played a pivotal role in driving and expanding our creative business in Malaysia.” 

He added, “Nizwani’s extensive experience and proven commercial acumen and ability to foster business growth makes her a natural choice for the leadership role, and I am certain that under her leadership, we will further consolidate and strengthen our foothold in this important market.”

Lastly, Lee said, “It has been a privilege working with the team during an important period of transformation and growth. I am confident under the leadership of Nizwani, the agency will continue to drive growth and achieve success.”