David Jones leaves Havas

Global CEO of Havas and Havas Worldwide David Jones is leaving the company to become co-founder and CEO of a new tech start-up that will launch next month.Taking over the role at the holding company Havas as global CEO will be Yannick Bolloré, the son of Havas investor Vincent Bolloré. Andrew Benett will take on the role of CEO of the Havas Worldwide, the advertising network. Benett was last the global president of Havas Worldwide, where he was responsibile for leading the day-to-day management of the global network.Jones will remain as adviser to the Havas chairman and CEO throughout 2014.Jones said: “If I were going to stay in the industry it would be at Havas, but I have always had a burning desire to be an entrepreneur and this is too exciting an opportunity to not seize.”Jones added that his two passions in business are social media and social responsibility and this new venture combines the two.The changes come amidst a power struggle between Jones and Benett, and Benett was speculated to be going over Jones’ head to establish a direct relationship with the younger Bolloré, whose father named him as his successor as chairman in August.The changes  in leadership roles in Havas come amidst great changes in the industry with the Publicis Omnicom merger soon to be settled. Meanwhile Havas, as part of a rebranding operation, aiming to underline a simpler and more transparent corporate structure, also renamed the Euro RSCG Worldwide network and its agencies as Havas Worldwide.Industry watchers have long highlighted Havas as a strong acquisition target, with speculations on what Vincent Bolloré’s next move will be.(Photo courtesy: Adweek)