TEAM LEWIS taps Havas exec to lead new media buying division, expands creative firepower

TEAM LEWIS is pushing deeper into the Australian market with the launch of a dedicated media buying division, appointing former Havas Media executive Kevin Fernandes to lead the charge.

Fernandes steps into the newly created role of head of media, bringing some 14 years of experience across AdTech, data-led media solutions and cross-channel partnerships. At Havas, he served as national head of partnerships & adtech, where he scaled investment operations and modernised media delivery.

His remit at TEAM LEWIS includes building out the agency’s paid media capabilities and integrating them with social, content and PR to drive growth for clients. The move marks the agency’s first foray into media buying in Australia, adding a performance layer to its existing strategy and creative services.

“Having the opportunity to build TEAM LEWIS' media division in Australia represents one of those rare opportunities to craft truly integrated brand stories that resonate across every touchpoint,” Fernandes said.

The agency is also bolstering its creative leadership, with Alex Robinson stepping into the role of Head of Creative & Content for Australia. Since joining in mid-2024, Robinson has played a key role in shaping the agency’s creative output. His expanded remit will see him continue to drive campaign excellence across earned, owned and paid channels.

“Getting to work across our client portfolio and finding new creative ways to tell their stories, whether that’s via earned, owned, or now paid with Kevin in the mix, is seriously exciting,” Robinson said.

The dual appointments reflect TEAM LEWIS’ broader investment in the region, following the recent global rollout of its Artificial Intelligence Optimisation (AIO) offering. AIO combines tracking, optimisation and reputation management to help brands stay visible, trusted and chosen across digital ecosystems.

Martin Harkin, managing director of TEAM LEWIS Australia, said the expansion signals a new chapter for the agency locally.

“Bringing an outstanding industry leader like Kevin on board to launch and grow our media division takes the agency to a whole new level,” Harkin said.

“The combination of dynamic media leadership with creative excellence marks an incredibly exciting new chapter for the business.”