MUMBAI: Havas Media Group has appointed Damien Marchi as global head of content. This news follows the Group’s recent launch of the Global Music Data Alliance with Universal Music Group and its partnership with content marketing platform NewsCred.
Havas Media Group global managing director Dominique Delport said, “2015 will be the year of content for Havas. We are going to innovate at scale and it's already started thanks to our friends at Universal and NewsCred. Multi device content marketing runs through Damien’s veins. He has always been at the forefront of global developments in content, working on some of the world’s most talked about shows. Data and content is at the core of what we do and Damien is a true all-rounded digital innovator. There is no doubt that he will help lead our teams through what will be an incredibly fast and interesting time for Havas and its clients in this space.”
Marchi added, “I began my career at a start up and to some extent feel like I have come home. The size and scale of Havas has not stopped it being an energetic and exciting to place to work. These two qualities will come handy as the global content market is at a turning point. On the one hand, business models in the industry are being seriously challenged and on the other hand, people have never had such as thirst for content. It’s an exciting time to be on the agency side - the historic meeting-place of stories, brands, platforms and producers. And with content at its core since its creation in 1835, Havas has all it takes to become the best of the industry.”
In line with the Group’s “Havas’ Village” approach to promote integration between its divisions, he will work closely with Havas Sports & Entertainment global CEO Lucien Boyer and Havas Worldwide global chief content officer Vin Farrell. Based in the Havas Paris HQ, he will report directly to Delport.
Marchi has over 15 years experience specialising in cross platform content production, commercialisation and marketing in TV and digital, across entertainment, drama and news. He has lived and worked in France UK and Sweden working at local, EMEA and global levels and led digital adaptations for shows such as The X Factor, Got Talent, Idols(FremantleMedia), Big Brother and Star Academy (Endemol). He has worked with brands such as RedBull, Air France, P&G and L'Oréal.
Marchi is an Emmy Award winner (2006), which he gained whilst working for the production company Streampower in Paris on its interactive TV programme Cult. He also holds two Banff Awards (2010, 2011) for his time with FremantleMedia in London for producing online originals Freak and SortedFood, which became the UKs largest cooking community on YouTube. He also works as an advisor to the United Nations advising UNRIC, its Western European information bureau on digital communications.
Prior to joining Havas, Marchi was member of the executive committee of Euronews in charge of Innovation and Products and championing the digital transformation of the newsroom.
