Virginia Hyland. Credit: Havas Media
Virginia Hyland has withdrawn legal action against Havas Media after coming to terms on her final buy-out payment, five years after the France-based global agency bought her Australian media agency.
Hyland had started action in the Federal Court alleging breaches of Fair Work provisions but court documents show this has been "dismissed by consent".
A statement by Havas said Hyland, the now former CEO of Havas Media Network Australia New Zealand (ANZ), has stepped down following the "successful completion of the buy-out period" after the acquisition of her independent agency, Hyland Media, in 2020.
Details of the resolution have not been disclosed.
“I want to thank Havas for welcoming Hyland Media and our clients into the fold," Hyland said.
"It’s been a privilege to work alongside so many creative, driven, and talented people across the local and global network. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together."
The news comes as James Wright has been appointed Havas Group CEO Australia New Zealand, effective immediately.
The appointment expands Wright’s current remit as CEO of Havas Creative Network ANZ.
He will continue in his global roles as CEO of Havas Red and global chair of the Havas PR Network.
Wright re-joined the Australian business in 2023 and has since led the Creative Network’s expansion across creative, PR, public affairs and health.
Havas has begun the search for a new CEO to lead Havas Media Network ANZ, with the role set to report directly to Group CEO James Wright.
“Going forward we are strongly committed to driving our pioneering integration as a Group with many bold ambitions to maximise our talents, technology and data smarts that supercharge our teams and clients’ brands,” Wright said.
“To support this we have a number of significant investments and moves planned to help us play and win differently as the challenger HoldCo in market.”
(EDS: Havas has objected to the headline of this article, saying it should state "Havas Media" rather than "Havas". The court case by Virginia Hyland was against HAVAS MEDIA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ACN 003 694 791. Havas says: " ... the case was against Havas Media Australia, and not Havas. They are different organisations in Australia." Havas owns Havas Media and the article details makes it clear that Hyland was part of Havas Media. The website of Havas Australia, still lists Hyland as part of that leadership team.)
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