Havas Media Network has made a significant addition to its leadership team by appointing industry veteran Mitchell Long as Chief Strategy Officer. Long, who brings with him 12 years of experience from PHD, where he served as National Head of Strategy, will now join the Havas Media Leadership team.
Mitchell Long is highly regarded in the industry, with colleagues and industry leaders describing him as “one of the best strategists in Australia right now.” During his tenure at PHD, Long honed his skills in communications strategy, working with some of the world’s most influential brands, including Google, Volkswagen, Unilever, Virgin Australia, and Chanel. Additionally, he contributed extensively to the Media Federation of Australia’s (MFA) MFA EX, creating industry-relevant content over several years.
Virginia Hyland, CEO of Havas Media Network, expressed her enthusiasm about Long’s appointment: “Mitch is a rare talent within our industry with a sharp focused mind that can unpack and develop business solutions for clients with compelling results. I have taken some time to identify and find the right candidate for this important role. Mitch will lead the strategic direction for Havas Media Australia and Havas PLAY. He will also play a pivotal role working alongside the Havas Village agencies to support our continued global focus creating a Converged operating system and data home platform for clients from across our Havas Village.”
Hyland further highlighted the significance of Long’s role amidst Havas Media Network’s recent business growth, marked by new wins and strategic acquisitions. She stated, “With recent significant business growth via wins and independent agency acquisitions for the Havas Media Network, it is a particularly exciting time for Mitch to join the team. Marketers’ challenge to simplify the complicated has never been greater particularly when budgets are tight, and their teams are stretched. They desire to work with partners who can unpack their problems and deliver an integrated seamless working model to deliver new growth areas. Mitch will play a key role in leaning into our clients’ business in a true partnership extension.”
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Mitchell Long, reflecting on his new role, said: “In the face of industry fragmentation, Havas’ new Converged OS backed by their unique Village model holds opportunity to build much needed bridges between creative, media, production, and technology. As part of my role, I’ll be looking to evolve our strategy product to draw upon our unique strengths within Converged and across our breadth of Village capabilities all in the service of great ideas that real people care about and that live through every facet of a brand’s marketing ecosystem.”
Long also emphasized the potential of Havas’ Village model to bridge the growing divide between breadth and depth, saying, “Havas’ Village model is uniquely positioned to bridge the growing divide between breadth and depth, I’m excited to help build their next chapter.”
Long’s journey into advertising began with a foundation in journalism, which he found to be the right fit upon starting his career as an intern in advertising. He recalls, “I was instantly struck by the fun energy, the smart people, and the warmth I felt.”
Long’s work has been recognized across the industry, earning accolades such as Gold at the Festival of Media, M&M Global, AdNews, MFA Awards, and more. In 2018, he was named one of B&T’s 30 under 30 in the strategy category, and in 2020, he was named AdNews’ Emerging Leader.
This appointment follows Havas’ recent strategic developments, including a substantial investment of €400 million into data, technology, and AI, the promotion of Alastair Baker to Chief Planning Officer locally, and the acquisition of Hotglue by Havas Media.
About Havas
Founded in 1835 in Paris, Havas is one of the world’s largest global communications networks, with more than 23,000 people in over 100 markets sharing one single mission: to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people. Havas has developed a seamlessly integrated global strategy and operating system, Converged, designed to answer clients’ needs for standout, cross-functional, end-to-end communications solutions, supercharged by data, tech and AI, but powered by humans. Through its 70+ Havas Villages around the world, covering all communication activities, Havas’ teams work together with agility and in perfect synergy to offer tailor-made, innovative solutions to clients that support them in their positive transformation. Havas is committed to building a diverse culture where everybody feels they belong and can be themselves and thrive. Havas integrated into Vivendi, a global leader in media, entertainment, and communications, in December 2017. Further information about Havas is available at www.havas.com.
