Havas Chicago adds Paul Hirsch as new executive creative director
Havas Chicago has brought in some new blood with the addition of Paul Hirsch as the executive creative director.
Havas Chicago adds Paul Hirsch as new executive creative director
“Paul understands deeply the moves we have made in the Chicago office to innovate and change and define our process. He also possesses a level of detail and focus on the craft that is incredible and that's what is needed at Havas right now,” said Jason Peterson, chairman & chief creative officer, Havas Creative, US.
Hirsch comes from Division of Labor, an agency based in Sausalito, California, which has done work with Ford, CamelBak, Roku, Dropbox and more. He will lead the creative directors and the creative work that comes out of the Havas Chicago office at 36 E. Grand Ave.
“I love Chicago, I grew up outside of the city. And it's fascinating what these guys (Paul Marobella and Jason Peterson) have done to this agency. A few years ago, they burned down the old agency, and when they rebuilt the business, they infused it with heart and soul and culture. Living on the west coast, we had the "makers gonna make" mentality, and that's something Havas puts forward here. There's so much opportunity to create,” said Paul Hirsch, executive creative director, Havas Chicago.
Hirsch will continue to push Havas' creativity, through its advertising work and clients, as well as push the agency boundaries. In October, the agency debuted its second annual physical installation around breast cancer awareness. Through the #CheckYoSelf campaign, Havas Chicago brought oversized breasts to the windows in the Near North neighborhood and continued to blow the lid off of “traditional.” This February, in an installation around Black History Month, they created a set of obstacles and learnings around what a black man or woman in the workplace might experience, highlighting the need for diversity in advertising as well.
“I love that Havas is all about the hustle,” Hirsch said.
In this new role, Hirsch will partner with Drew Donatelle, executive creative director of The Annex, an agency and cultural center for millennials by millennials, which has done good work for the Chicago community, including a portrait series around the holidays to benefit the Wells Community Academy High School in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago.