Greg James is CEO at Havas Media Network North America where he promotes a culture of leadership focused on inspiration, inclusion and insight. A proud ally and contributor to the LGBTQ+ community.
Greg began his career in film, theatre, and public relations before becoming a leader in digital content, sponsorship, and social media at renowned UK agency Cake. There, he led global brands like Unilever and Vodafone in music, sports, and brand activation.
Following Havas’s acquisition of Cake in 2009, Greg remained with the group, establishing the brand in the USA as the de facto content and social practice for Havas. He led Olympic activation for Coca-Cola brands and spearheaded content and social platform development.
Greg was the US Chief Strategy Officer at Havas Media from 2013 to 2018, before becoming Global Chief Strategy Officer then Global Chief Transformation Officer. Here, he led corporate development for the agency, as well as overseeing the group’s largest media clients including Telefonica, Hyundai Motor Company and Jacobs Douwe Egberts. As a member of the global leadership team, he spearheaded the development of the agency’s Meaningful Media philosophy and ‘Mx’ operating system which both emphasize ethics, inclusion, attention and incremental impact through media.
Greg has focused on continuous learning for himself and others – an MBA, and a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program, he is a mentor for The Marketing Academy, investing in the next generation of talent.
Beyond marketing and media, Greg has served as a Board member of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, acts as an advisor to an e-commerce startup and enjoys spending time with his husband in their native homelands (UK and Portugal respectively). At weekends he can be found honing his tennis skills in the Hudson Valley.