Big changes are afoot at Havas Worldwide in Dublin with the appointment of a new MD and the decision of the agency to part company with eightytwenty, the agency which acted as its digital arm.
The agency’s managing director Padraig Staunton is stepping down before Christmas to focus on a number of start-up opportunities. He is being replaced by Bob Coggins, who spearheaded the recent One Young World Summit in Dublin and has overseen the expansion of Havas Worldwide’s youth communications brand, campus.ie. Staunton took over the running of the agency from Brian Hayes nearly two years ago.
Coggins will now lead a senior management team comprising Audrey Mills who is head of experiential, Garrett Kinsella, head of client services, Peter O’Dwyer and Judy O’Broin, creative directors and Tony Caravousanos, head of advertising.
The agency also announced the full integration of digital services into Havas and it expects to appoint a new head of digital shortly. For the past two years, eightytwenty has acted as its digital arm under a management contract. This contract is not being renewed as the agency intends to develop its own digital offering under the Havas Digital brand.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Bob Coggins as managing director of our Irish operations,” says Kate Robertson, global president of Havas Worldwide. His leadership and team building skills are greatly respected by his colleagues, both in Dublin and internationally. I worked intensively with Bob over the past year and saw at first hand the energy and insight he brings in everything he does. This made him a natural successor to Padraig. We look forward to Bob bringing these qualities to bear in the next stage of our development in Ireland, particularly in our digital-led marketing communications services.”
“I wish Padraig continued success on the next stage of his career. He has transformed our presence in Ireland, leading our team to great success and servicing some of the world’s most respected brands.”
