Havas Media Group launches fully-owned operations in Malaysia and appoints Andreas Vogiatzakis as chief executive officer
Havas Media Group has launched fully owned operations in Malaysia, under the leadership of media industry veteran Andreas Vogiatzakis.
Vogiatzakis (pictured left) joins Havas Media Group with more than three decades of experience in the media industry spanning media agencies Omnicom Media Group, Mindshare and Starcom MediaVest Group.
The groundwork for Malaysia operations began in early May this year with the appointment of
Christine Chang as General Manager and Roopal Julka as Head of Digital.
Vogiatzakis’ mandate includes a full-fledged launch of the agency, putting in place teams and processes to give the young media agency a head start in the competitive Malaysian media market. He will also be responsible for the launch of specialist brands like Mobext, Socialyse, Affiperf and Ecselis, and will be working closely with Havas Worldwide to deliver the Havas Village proposition in Malaysia.
Vishnu Mohan, CEO, Havas Media Group, Asia Pacific said, “We are delighted to launch our fully owned operations in Malaysia under the leadership of a well-recognised media heavyweight Andreas Vogiatzakis. Malaysia is a strategically important market for Havas Group in Southeast Asia and is key to our ambition of strengthening our already robust operations in the region. Andreas’ appointment is part of our strategy to put the best talent in the market.”
Commenting on Vogiatzakis’ appointment, Mohanu added, “Andreas needs no introduction either in Malaysia or in the region. He is widely acknowledged as a media visionary and an inspirational leader. He has turned around businesses, won multiple awards and is a talent magnet. What impressed me most about him is his passion, energy and entrepreneurial spirit – which can not only rival a 25 year-old but is also very much in sync with the culture at Havas.”
About Havas Media Group
Vogiatzakis was most recently with Omnicom Media Group Malaysia, where he joined as CEO almost a decade back. Under his leadership, Omincom Group Malaysia transformed into one of the most recognised media groups in the country, winning all the top honours in the industry including the coveted Agency of the Year award both locally and regionally. Prior to this, Vogiatzakis spent close to fours years in Taiwan as CEO of Mindshare and has also had a five-year stint in Japan, first with DMB&B and later with Starcom Mediavest Group as Managing Director.
On his appointment Vogiatzakis said, “I am very excited about my new stint at Havas Media. Havas is a forward-looking group with an innovative and sophisticated approach to media. I was particularly impressed with the resources they have put around developing collaboration and integration in each of their offices. In Southeast Asia, Havas Media has evolved as one of the most interesting media agencies both in terms of their offering and performance. The entrepreneur in me was itching to take on challenges and I have found the right fit in Havas Media. I am looking forward to my new innings with the group.”