Havas China names new managing directors for GBA expansion

Havas China has appointed Leo Li (pictured right) and Joanne Zhou (pictured left) as managing directors for Greater Bay Area (GBA), where they will continue to hold their current positions and steer the company's expansion and strategic initiatives in this dynamic region. 

Currently Havas creative vice president at the Guangzhou office, Li has been a member of the Havas family since 2001. With a deep understanding of creativity-driven integrated marketing solutions, he has worked with top brands such as P&G, Mars, and Huawei, earning high praise from clients. His insights into the Greater Bay Area are rooted in his life and work for more than two decades in Guangdong. 

Meanwhile, Zhou, currently general manager of Havas Play China, joined Havas China in 2020. With extensive advertising and media experience, she was promoted to lead Havas Play China at its launch in 2023.

Her expertise in content, entertainment, and social media, along with her skills in resource integration, have helped many clients and brands with crossover collaborations and activations. Her extraordinary leadership has propelled the quick development of Havas Play in China, according to the release. 

The appointments come as part of the strategies for the agency's GBA expansion. In fact, the agency realised the GBA is a national initiative to connect nine cities in Guangdong, along with Hong Kong and Macao, into a cohesive economic powerhouse and a world-class bay area. With a population exceeding 86 million and a GDP of US$2 trillion, it accounts for 11.1% of China's total economic output and is poised to accelerate.

Li said: “As a native of Guangdong, I am deeply honored to be appointed as the managing director of Havas China GBA. With a profound emotional connection to and understanding of this region, I look forward to bringing my passion and insights into my new role, working alongside our team to drive business growth in the Greater Bay Area.”

Zhou said: "In my dual role as Havas China GBA managing director and Havas Play China general manager, I am excited to harness the power of entertainment, content, and social media to create impactful marketing synergies and drive business growth in the vibrant GBA region."

Don't miss: Havas China's Ben Sun takes on expanded role as CEO of Havas Creative China

Back in July 2023, Havas Group promoted Ben Sun to CEO of Havas Creative China, effective from 1 July, expanding his current remit as chief creative officer of Havas China.

In this newly created role, Sun reports to Karl Wu, chairman and CEO of Havas Greater China. Sun will continuously lead the creative team for the success of Havas’ creative presence in China, including offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. He will also be fully responsible for the overall business management of Havas Creative Group China.

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