GERETY TALKS: Mercedes Erra

Mercedes Erra is the founder of BETC, the leading French advertising agency that bears her name (she is the E), and executive president of Havas Worldwide. Settled in Pantin, the close suburbs of Paris, BETC employs now 1,500 collaborators and has been appointed International Agency of the year 2019 by Adweek.

A graduate of HEC and the Sorbonne Mercedes specialises in the development and management of world-renowned brands. She is responsible for the major strategic shifts of leading brands.

Mercedes is involved in numerous initiatives as an advocate in favour of women, youth, human rights and innovation: the Women’s forum for the Economy and Society, which she co-founded, The Elle Foundation, the Global Summit of Women and the "Innovation 2030" Commission. She is also Co-President of the Human Rights Watch French Committee and Vice-President of the French "filière Communication" (Communications Industry) since 2016.

Additionally, Mercedes Erra was nominated as chairwoman of the Museum of Immigration History in January 2010 and became chairwoman of The Palais de la Porte Dorée in 2012.

Mercedes Erra is officer in the French Legion of Honor as well as an officer in the National Order of Merit, and commander in the Order of Arts and Letters.