Havas Media Global CEO Alfonso Rodes visits the Philippines for the first time

PHILIPPINES, JANUARY 28, 2011 – Havas Media Global CEO Alfonso Rodes arrived in Manila on Wednesday morning for a three-day visit. Accompanied by Asia Pacific CEO Vishnu Mohan, Rodes is in the Philippines for the first time to observe the operations of Media Contacts Philippines, the local office of Havas Media’s digital agency.

Speaking to adobo, Rodes said that he is very impressed by the performance and the list of clients that Media Contacts has built in its short existence here. He explained that the network first directed its attention to India and China, but as the operations there are now in a “good direction”, Havas Media can now turn its gaze to other countries in the region.

Barcelona-based Rodes is excited by the network’s expansion in Asia: “It is fantastic to come to this region. It gives you a shot of adrenaline. You see people smiling in the streets, people with new projects and new ideas.”

Rodes admires the achievements of the Filipino team with very few resources and little attention from the head office. “I am not here to change too many things but to give them support,” he said. His goal is to provide the resources to help makes the office a key player in the market. In terms of expansion, Media Contacts is focusing on three countries: the Philippines. Indonesia and Egypt.

Commenting on the political situation in the country, he noted that there is instability everywhere and expressed confidence in the democracy and the general optimism because of the new government.

On digital, he outlined the four areas of specialization that will be critical in the coming year. “We have strong plans for search, mobile marketing, social media and data analytics,” he said.

A banker before 15 years, Rodes succeeded his his brother Fernando as CEO of Havas Media in 2006. Havas Media belongs to the Havas Group, and is the sister of company of Havas Worldwide, which includes EuroRSCG.