Havas Media Network has promoted Kim James to the role of chief growth and business development officer.
James will take over the position from Nick Wright, who will now lead Havas Play Network.
As part of her new role, James will be tasked with supporting the development of new and existing clients and integrating new acquisitions. According to the agency, she will be charged with establishing a “more integrated and client-centric approach” to business growth and marketing.
James said: “As the Network has evolved and competition between agencies continues to be fierce, we need to ensure we double down on customer centricity, putting client growth at the heart of our growth strategy to improve our propositions, M&A strategy, product development and organic growth.
“ I’m also excited to seize this opportunity to bring more of our amazing talent into the pitching sphere, harnessing and building out what is already proving to be a powerful and winning formula for pitch success across Havas Media Network.”
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Havas Media Network has said James will lead its 20-person growth team and will join an expanded executive committee.
James joined Havas Entertainment in September 2023, helping the agency to secure clients such as Penguin and Red Bull. Prior to joining Havas, James worked at Dentsu Media since 2004.
James will report to Patrick Affleck, CEO of Havas Media Network UK & Ireland.
Affleck said, “Kim is a proven leader who possesses a unique combination of skills in client leadership and commercial growth strategy and business development, which will be invaluable to our Network as we look to build on the new business momentum we achieved in 2024.
“Over the last three years our network has changed massively, expanding into new specialist areas so that we can in turn better support our own clients marketing transformation. I’m excited to see how Kim will help our existing clients and future clients realise the full potential of these capabilities as they (and we) look to grow in 2025 and beyond.”
