Graham Taylor, one of the leading lights of the advertising and media industry in Ireland over the last 40 years is stepping down as CEO of Havas Media.
Taylor will be replaced Gareth Fitzpatrick who was appointed managing director of the agency in January 2018 and now will assume full executive responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the agency.
Taylor founded GT Media in 1983- initially from the offices of Irish Marketing Journal (IMJ)- and ran the independent media buying agency for 31 years before selling a 60% stake to the French agency network Havas.
Since then agency has grown significantly and billings in 2017 amounted to €24.7m while pre-tax profits weighed in at €318,000. Over the past few years, the agency has also successfully positioned itself as a challenger agency brand in a market dominated by four main Irish and international holding companies.
“After a 40-year career in advertising and media it is time for me to slow down and take some time out. I have seen such a massive change in the media business since we started out all those years ago, some good and some bad but I am immensely proud of what we achieved both from a professional and a personal perspective. I leave with no regrets having built a great business and forging so many lasting relationships and lifelong friendships along the way. I will probably miss it but it is time for me to hand over to a new generation and move on to the next chapter of my life,” says Taylor.
Gareth Fitzpatrick joined Havas in April 2016 after eight years with IPG Mediabrands. Prior to this, he worked in advertising sales at TV3. Since joining Havas Media, he has played an integral role in developing the agency.
“I am delighted to be leading Havas Media Ireland into an exciting future. Graham’s experience, commitment and vision for the agency were the key reasons for my decision to join Havas and over the past two years we have achieved what we set out to do. The new management team will enable us to continue with this success, delivering award winning integrated solutions for our clients and to drive innovation and change in our industry,” says Fitzpatrick.
Matt Adams, CEO of Havas Media UK & Ireland adds: “I’d like to thank Graham for everything he’s achieved for Havas in Ireland and wish him every success for the future. Saying goodbye after so many years is always filled with some sadness, but also with pride for what he has achieved. The results of which have been outstanding since Graham and his team launched Havas Media in Ireland with such success.”
