Havas media hires blacker as national strategy lead to drive integrated push

Havas Media has appointed Molly Blacker to the newly created role of national head of strategy, as the agency sharpens its integrated offering across Australia and New Zealand.

Blacker will lead the media agency’s strategy function and sit within a broader ANZ strategy collective led by chief strategy officer Olly Taylor, working closely with clients to identify growth opportunities and deliver culturally-led media solutions.

The role forms part of a wider push by Havas Group to strengthen its “Village” model, bringing together media, creative and communications capabilities under a more unified strategy approach.

Blacker joins from Slingshot, where she spent eight years, most recently as head of strategy and creative. During that time, she led work across brands including Australian Pork, Hamilton the musical and Goodman Fielder.

Prior to that, she held strategy roles at UM Australia, working with clients including Johnson & Johnson, Tourism and Events Queensland, H&M and the NSW Government.

Kate O’Ryan-Roeder, CEO of Havas Media ANZ, said the appointment reflects the agency’s focus on strengthening its strategic product.

“Molly is an exceptional cultural fit for our agency - a rare combination of a people-first leader and a highly respected craft expert. What excites us most is her ambition to bring our local Deliberately Different philosophy to life through a strategic product that delivers genuine growth and impact for clients,” she said.

“She has a natural instinct for collaboration and sees huge potential in our wider Havas Village strategy collective. I know her leadership will elevate not only the work we deliver for clients, but also the development of our people and the strength of our integrated offering.”

Taylor added: “Molly is a star. She understands that modern media cannot rely on reach alone and that impact is everything. I am really looking forward to welcoming her to the Village and our strategy collective.”

Blacker said the role comes at a time of expanding opportunity across the media landscape.

“Some people shy away as the media landscape broadens, but this expansion is what I love about media. To harness this world of possibility, you need a team who see that the best strategic thinking and creativity comes from diversity of thought,” she said.

“This shared belief with Havas Media, and the strategy collective is why I’m delighted to join the Havas Village.”

Her appointment comes as Havas ANZ continues to invest in integrated strategy, AI-enabled capabilities and cross-agency collaboration as part of its broader growth ambitions.