CANNES \u2013 Whether it\u2019s marketers catching up, getting head or trying to leapfrog others, the need for transformation is the theme that drives everything, to Shane Ankeney, President, Havas Media Group North America.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are looking to us as change agents, as transformation stewards, to help them do that because they realize that it\u2019s very difficult changing their own organization sometimes,\u201d Ankeney says in this interview at the Cannes<\/a> Lions International Festival of Creativity.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd sometimes it\u2019s actually easier to do it through the partnership with and the lens of an outside media agency partner. No place like Cannes to inspire that sort of thinking and conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n Being accountable to clients\u2019 business outcomes is \u201ca huge challenge,\u201d but having made transparency and data two priorities has paid admirable dividends to Havas as measured by account wins, according to Ankeney<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us, we focus on the meaningful data and the meaningful data is what we hold ourselves accountable to. It\u2019s what supports the business challenges and business objectives of every client and that enables us focus on being accountable to our clients.\u201d<\/p>\n Sometimes it\u2019s a matter of leading clients to transformation. \u201cThey know they want it, they know they need it, they know that there\u2019s concern there. Sometimes they need us to help them understand it.\u201d<\/p>\n Others are \u201cvery advanced and very knowledgeable and they are pushing us, demanding from us that same thing. Luckily we\u2019re of like minds when we get there so it\u2019s a very easy conversation for us to have.\u201d<\/p>\n With a background at such agencies as J. Walter Thompson, TBWA\\Chiat\\Day, Carmichael Lynch, Doner and Initiative, Ankeney has roots on the creative side but is more than happy to be engrossed in media.<\/p>\n \u201cI love more focus on media because it means our role is becoming more meaningful with our clients and we can have more meaningful partnerships and relationships with our clients,\u201d he says. \u201cWhether it\u2019s accountability or transformation or you name it, the more focus on media the better as far as I\u2019m concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n