• by Steve McClellan , April 9, 2020

Havas Group has announced C-suite additions to its leadership team overseeing both creative agency Arnold and sibling shop Havas Media in Boston.

The agencies have been jointly managed by CEO George Sargent and his team since late last year. While the company says both agencies remain stand-alone entities the integrated leadership team will use titles that note their oversight of Arnold + Havas Media Boston.

Sargent succeeded Arnold CEO Karin Smith who left last October after 18 months in the job. And he continues to lead Havas Media’s Boston office as CEO.

Now the integrated leadership unit has appointed Scott Stedman as Chief Growth and Product Officer. He was previously CMO at MDC Media Partners. In his new role, Stedman is responsible for driving growth and expanding capabilities at the agencies. He’ll tap into assets such as the creative agency’s production studio and relationships within parent company Vivendi, which owns Universal Music Group and video game publisher Gameloft.

Also, several executives have been elevated to new roles on the integrated team. Gabrielle Rossetti is now Chief Strategy Officer, promoted from executive vice president, Strategy at Havas Media.

Vallerie Bettini has been upped to Chief Client Officer, from executive vice president/ Managing Director at Arnold.

Julianna Akuamoah is promoted to Chief Talent Officer, from senior vice president, human resources at Arnold. And Cass Taylor has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer from executive vice president/client Lead, Havas Media.

Also part of the integrated leadership team is CFO Lucia Ferrante and Chief Creative Officer Sean McBride.

“This ethos of blurring the line between message and medium will make Arnold an even stronger standalone creative agency, and will make Havas Media Boston an even stronger standalone media agency,” stated Sargent.