Havas WW Adds New US CCO & Global Chief Digital Officer

Havas Worldwide today announced two key hires and the creation of a new creative position spanning the Americas to further accelerate innovation and collaboration worldwide.

Toygar Bazarkaya will join the agency as chief creative officer for the Americas – a first for the creative agency network – and will focus on strengthening the agency’s creative capabilities and building a community among creative teams throughout North and South America. The new, dual-Americas role was prompted by Havas Worldwide’s desire to build an unparalleled culture of collaboration, and will serve clients’ growing creative needs across both continents, as well as globally.

Likewise, Matt Howell’s appointment as the new global chief digital officer supports a similar mission of collaboration, interlocking digital teams and perspectives across all global markets. Matt will lead digital efforts throughout the network with a focus on expanding the agency’s offering and delivering digital enterprises in alignment with Havas’s “Together” strategy.

Bazarkaya joins Havas from BBDO New York, where he served as executive creative officer for nearly six years. Prior to that role, he was the chief creative officer of BBDO in Germany, where he brought the agency back into the creative rankings. While at BBDO, he led many prestigious brands such as Visa, Mercedes, Gillette, Campbell's, MLB, American Red Cross, Dubai Tourism, and Dove Chocolate. His career also includes time at world-class creative agencies such as Jung von Matt and Springer & Jacoby in Hamburg, DM9DDB in São Paulo, Mullen in Boston, and DDB New York. His work has won over 600 awards for his clients, including more than 20 Cannes Lions for a dozen brands.

“As we expand our offering to clients, it is important that we continue to push creativity's borders,” said Global CEO Andrew Benett. “Toygar has extensive experience building brands in the US and internationally, and brings a unique perspective and unmatched expertise.”

“The team at Havas Worldwide shares my commitment to creativity and collaboration, as well as my passion for building brands,” said Bazarkaya. “The agency has built a lot of momentum recently. I’m excited to add to that.”

Howell is no stranger to the Havas network, having previously served as global chief digital officer for Arnold Worldwide beginning in 2011, and then for Havas Creative Group from 2012 to 2014. He is returning after spending the past year as partner at Vermonster LLC, a design and technology consultancy specializing in product development. Howell has extensive experience in digital marketing and strategy, including nearly three years as president of the creative agency Modernista! and over three years at R/GA, where he managed the Nike account, overseeing the creation of NIKEiD and Nike+.

Said Benett: “Matt is a proven innovative leader who is passionate about fusing technology with marketing, as well as creating new ways to connect brands with consumers. We are delighted about Matt’s return, as he will add rigor and structure to our offering of integrated digital capabilities globally.”

“It’s great to be back at Havas,” said Howell. “The company has real ambition and is committed to creating smart, contemporary work. I am excited to plug in and help build on all that’s there.”