Havas helia today announces two new appointments to its Group board. Ben Silcox joins in the newly created role of Chief Data and Digital Officer and Steven Bennett-Day, joins as Executive Creative Director UK.
These appointments follow the recent launch of Havas helia, formerly Havas EHS and Havas Discovery. As well as expanding international reach, Havas helia creates a go-to-market brand encompassing offices in the US (Chicago, Richmond, Baltimore, and New York), Europe (London, Cirencester, Warsaw), and China (Shanghai). The helia group will start with total data-related revenue of over $70 million, consist of more than 200 data scientists, 700 staff other staff, and a client roster that includes Unilever, easyJet, IBM, Diageo, Sony PlayStation, Liberty Mutual, and DISH.
The appointments highlight Havas helia’s commitment to developing and delivering a global network that will redefine the face of data as it relates to creative and digital. Both Ben and Steven will be supporting Group CEO, Tash Whitmey and Group COO Matt Fanshawe in the agency’s continued evolution of its structure, operations and best-in-class client offering.
Ben Silcox joined the company when it was still Havas EHS in February 2013 as Head of Technology and Data, and since then has led the data, analytics, technology and digital ecosystems strategy for the company, as well as leading the Unilever Global Data and CRM account along with Matt Fanshawe. Before joining, Ben was the founder and CEO of Scarlet Tree Investments, a start-up social health business.
Steven Bennett -Day joined the agency in January 2014 as executive creative director for London. Prior to joining Havas EHS he worked at DraftFCB on accounts including Coca-Cola Europe, Beiersdorf and eBay. Since joining the agency he had significantly expanded the creative division and been the driving force behind putting digital at the heart of the agency’s creative thinking.
In addition to the board appointments, Havas helia also announces 15 new hires across the data and creative divisions. The new hires underline the agency’s ongoing commitment to delivering the best digital, data and creative work.
Matt Fanshawe, COO of Havas helia, says: “I am thrilled to announce these appointments, and to have both Steven and Ben joining the board. They are both best-in-class in each of their respective fields, and it reflects our commitment to combining creative data and digital processes, in order to deliver the best possible campaigns for our clients.”