Havas UK appoints new media performance and investment director

Havas Media Group UK has hired AudienceScience’s Mark Connolly as media performance and investment director.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, Connolly has held senior media roles at companies including GMTV, BSkyB, Virgin Media and Yahoo – and most recently AudienceScience where he has been chief revenue officer for the last two years.

Due to start this week, Connolly will report into group managing director Julia Jordan and will be responsible for investment, operations and media performances across the group’s media agencies: Havas Media, Arena Media and Forward Media.

“Mark impressed us hugely with his expansive knowledge of the digital landscape and in particular ad technology, data and programmatic,” Jordan said.

“His commercial acumen combined with exceptional leadership qualities made him the perfect candidate for the role and supports our commitment to a digital first model with data and content at our core.”

Connolly’s appointment marks a major reorganisation of the investment, digital and data platforms being undertaken by Jordan.

He will lead the delivery of creative commercial solutions for clients, via all Havas Group platforms which are being transformed by Jordan into an integrated model that manages over £500m billings across the three agencies.

Connolly said: “It’s inspiring to be joining Havas Media Group at such a pivotal time for the business. I’m looking forward to collaborating with Julia across the business to help evolve it to the next level.”