Ailsa Buckley joins Havas Group Media as deputy MD

Havas Group Media has poached Wavemaker’s Ailsa Buckley for its newly-created role of deputy managing director.

Buckley joins from her position as general manager at WPP-owned Wavemaker, where she led the agency’s L’Oreal business with a focus on digital transformation. She has 16 years’ experience in client-facing roles in agencies including MEC and Maxus.

In her new role, Buckley will be responsible for strengthening client relationships and leading multi-disciplinary teams, and will also have specific responsibility for the group’s Hyundai and AXA accounts.

“I was attracted to Havas Group Media after seeing the amazing talent heading there over the past year, and the leadership’s passion and desire to drive change,” Buckley said.

“I’m thrilled to be joining at such an exciting time and I can’t wait to get involved in building the agency’s culture and client relationships.”

Buckley will report to managing director Stephanie Marks, who added: “Ailsa’s appointment is further proof of our ongoing commitment to excellent client service. Her experience on brands like L’Oreal, Fiat and Johnson & Johnson, and her digital and comms planning expertise, make her a real asset to Havas Group Media.”

The appointment is the latest in a string of senior hires for the advertising group, which has thus far included Carat’s John-Paul Cadman as chief planning officer and Starcom’s Marek Wrobel as head of media futures.