- Boston-based creative agency Arnold announced it has named George Sargent as CEO
Boston-based creative agency Arnold announced it has named George Sargent as CEO, according to Adweek. This role has been empty since Kiran Smith departed from the company in October. Sargent is joining Arnold from Havas Media Boston. At Havas, Sargent will also continue to serve as the president.
Arnold chief creative officer Icaro Doria has also been offered an undisclosed role within Havas. And current Arnold executive creative director Sean McBride is going to succeed Doria.
This move is part of Havas’ restructuring that utilizes the network’s Village model. This model is pushing for the company to bring its media and creative divisions within the same umbrella.
“We’re integrating our underlying skillsets to create new and improved offerings that serve clients in a nimbler, client-centric way. And with those new and improved solutions in our arsenal, we’ll pursue opportunities and clients where you can’t draw a line between message and medium,” said Sargent in a statement via Campaign US.
Havas chairman and CEO Paul Marobella and Creative CEO Chris Hirst have been focused on getting the company back on track following splits from legacy businesses and the departure of executives like Smith and CSO Guy Lambert. The company also lost several clients over the last few years like Carnival and Jack Daniel’s. And executive creative director Fred Saldanha departed from Arnold to join VMLY&R as its global chief creative officer with a focus on the Colgate-Palmolive account.
“We are thrilled to build solutions for clients that draw on the culture of a long-respected boutique creative agency, the national power of the Havas network and the strength of Havas Media Group,” added Marobella. “We are committed to the Arnold brand, but we’re equally committed to evolving the Arnold offering. We will be sharing more, including the supporting leadership team, in the coming weeks.”
