HOST/HAVAS Interview - Following the Merger

Today I accompanied the AnNews editor, Lindsay, to an interview with Host/Havas CEO Laura Aldington.

Host/Havas CEO Laura Aldington

The interview follows the merger that saw Host and Havas form one creative agency just under a year ago, as well as the agency's recent gain of The Heart Foundation as a client.

During the interview we touched on several factors of the merger including;

1. Why the merger occurred

2. The challenges they faced and are still facing

3. The importance of creating a unique "village model" culture based off shared values from both agencies

4. The company's success at Cannes Lions earlier this year

5. Women in leadership

It was interesting to understand the agency culture following a merger and why change is important.

With this interview coming after interviewing McCann CEO Nichole Taylor, the nature of women in leadership roles within the advertising and media industry seems to be developing. This is something of particular interest to me, being a young woman about embark in a career in the same industy (hopefully anyway).

As Lindsay has established, a recent AdNews survey found women in advertising and marketing delay having children to after 30 years old. AdNews has also revealed the various parental policies in place by agencies, media owners and tech companies, showing a shift to better help mothers reenter the workforce.

There is a fundamental shift happening within the nature of women within the industry and there is an obvious push for women to still be able to pursue a leadership career whilst maintaining a family (something men with families don't have to consider, apparently! )

With this push and struggle for change in mind, Aldington said she was still constantly asked at Cannes Lions who was watching her children while she was away on business trips The same question was not asked of her male colleagues.

Here's what Aldington had to say on the matter:

"Until we make more changes, women will always feel like they have to work harder than men to get to the same place."

Lindsay has asked for women leaders in the industry to put forward their opinions, and I am eagerly awaiting for however piece on the matter. I feel that this topic is important to bring to light. Potentially, it will impact my career and I value the opportunity to sit and discuss the matter with Aldington, who has overcome stereotyping and is showing that women are just as worthy of leadership roles in the creative industry.

You can read Lindsays article on the interview here: http://www.adnews.com.au/news/host/havas-prepares-for-dawn-of-next-chapter