Meet Havas Creative Group's Dan Gibson

At the end of 2013, Havas Worldwide appointed Dan Gibson, managing director for Host Singapore, to concurrently lead Havas Worldwide Singapore as group MD.Prior to taking on the role of MD at Host, Gibson (pictured) was managing director of Ogilvy Advertising. In July 2011, Host established a partnership with Havas which saw the French group acquiring 51% of the business while allowing Host’s founders to maintain control of the operations of the business.We ask Gibson how his journey has been holding the dual role.How would you describe your management style?That's probably best left to the team, but what I can tell you are the qualities I believe to be most important.-To remain clear about where we're headed and why that's important.-To keep providing feedback and coaching on an ongoing basis.-To remain approachable and collaborative.Of course I don't always get it right, but as a leader these are the areas I try hardest to focus on.How has the past few months been for you in the new role?What's been great to see is the whole Havas Creative Group really hitting its stride. Our team is stronger now than it's ever been.That's reflected in the quality of our creative output, where Andrew Hook is leading us to great work on the likes of FairPrice, AirFrance and Tokio Marine. And it's also reflected in a strong new business record across the last 12 months or so.Meanwhile it's exciting to see the collaborative proposition of Havas Village really coming to life across different client businesses. What's very clear is that clients today want a simplified, consolidated agency engagement. And with the Havas Village, no-one is better placed to provide that than we are.How did you break into the industry?For a long time I'd planned to become a journalist, but I became more and more interested by persuasion as a commercial enterprise. So after leaving University, I applied via the UK creative agency milkround and was lucky enough to be offered a role on the BBH Grad Recruitment Scheme.Nigel Bogle personally phoned me with the offer. That was a pretty amazing moment for a young lad like me.What was your first job? (give pics)After the 5 month BBH Grad Recruitment scheme had finished, I began as account manager on Audi, where my first big job was the award-winning Wakeboarder campaign for Audi Quattro.https://youtu.be/3MlwMHvpf2cMy other account was the confectionery business of Perfetti Van Melle, where we produced some lovely work for the likes of Mentos, including this one with a guy whose breath is so fresh, he's snogged by a bulldog.https://youtu.be/4H1g8dBNwxoWho was the mentor who most influenced you and why? If you start out spending five years at BBH, you have plenty of great mentors: Gwyn Jones, Ben Fennell, Chris Hirst (now at Havas) come to mind.[gallery link="file" ids="95167,95157,95168"]However, Nathan Plowman was probably the single most influential one in the early years. He was my AD on Audi, and something of a hard-ass. He taught me the importance of being buttoned down on the detail. "Unless the contact report has already been sent, Dan, no-one's too interested in your views on strategy and creative".[gallery ids="95159"]Maybe I listened a little bit, as Nathan then asked me to join him on the Global adidas business at 180 Amsterdam.Then in my seven years at 180, I learned from the inspirational Chris Mendola that sometimes it's good to be a little less British.[gallery link="file" ids="95165,95154"]What was the proudest moment in your career?There was so much great, effective work for adidas, but the highlight was the 2006 World Cup campaign we created for adidas.Nike was at the time very close to taking over adidas' category leadership in football, and it became a (healthy) obsession for the whole adidas organisation that the World Cup in Germany, adidas' own backyard, would be where they consolidated on that leadership.[gallery link="file" ids="95164,95166"]After two years of intensive planning, our +10 World Cup campaign passed off brilliantly effectively for adidas, and they were able to re-establish clear commercial daylight between themselves and the competition.I'm proud to have been so involved with the HPB 'I Quit' campaign that did so much to help Singaporeans quit smoking.I'm proud to have successfully started up an agency in Singapore (Host). And just recently, I'm massively proud of Havas' groundbreaking SG50 work for FairPrice.[gallery link="file" ids="95161"]Your biggest blunder in your career?I've been guilty of being too trusting, of believing that people will do the right thing - rather than the right thing for them.I also once enjoyed too much refreshment on a work rugby tour to France, and ended up not getting on the plane home with everyone else...When you’re not working, what will you be doing, aside from spending time with the family? Running, coaching U7s rugby, watching cricket and Newcastle United.Cooking curries. Not so long ago I came third in a Curry-Off at work. (Third out of three, that was)[gallery link="file" ids="95169,95170"] Harshest thing said to you in your career?"You're not political enough". Hmmm.When you were a newbie in the industry, did you dream you would be CEO one day?I dreamed much more about making great work with great people than I ever specifically coveted leadership positions.Craziest thing your staff has told you?"Sorry, I don't think we have much time for that really important pitch because we're too busy creating scam for the Cannes deadline two months from now".One thing you hate most about advertising?The industry has a major problem with integrity. Specifically around creative award shows.I find it amazing that so many of the same very senior people who crow about the importance of effectiveness are actively complicit in sustaining agency cultures that perpetuate scam. Not only is it fundamentally dishonest, but it does so much damage to the credibility of our industry.What’s the toughest thing about your job?Getting great work out is always tough. But doesn't that make it so much more satisfying when you pull it off?One thing you would say to a newbie in the industry?Always have a point of view.