Havas Red, one of Australia’s leading earned-first PR, social media, content, and experiential agencies, has elevated long-serving social strategist Joanne Ng to the national role of Executive Director, Social.
Ng has served as a social strategist across the agency’s client portfolio since 2021 and continues to lead the full social remit for the agency’s largest client, Toyota Motor Corporation Australia.
As Executive Director, Ng will drive Havas Red’s national social media practice and specialist teams across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, overseeing strategy, innovation and client delivery across social media, influencer marketing, creator partnerships, and content.
She replaces outgoing Executive Director, Social, Stuart Hood who is moving into a contracting capacity.
Shane Russell, CEO, Havas Red Australia, said Ng’s experience, leadership and track record made her the ideal person to lead the next phase of growth for the agency’s social offering.
“Joanne has played a pivotal role in our social offering over the past four years and has consistently demonstrated the strategic thinking, client leadership and commercial acumen required to lead the practice into its next chapter. Her appointment comes at an exciting time for Havas Red as we continue to invest in our capabilities and expand our integrated offering to meet growing client demand across social, influencer and content,” Russell said.
“Social media, influencer, and content are no longer add-ons, they’re central to how brands build reputation and drive growth. Joanne’s vision for our social practice reflects where the market is heading, and we’re excited to see her lead this next phase.”
Ng said social media’s role within modern communications had never been more influential.
“Consumers are increasingly discovering, evaluating and experiencing brands through social first. That presents a significant opportunity for businesses to use social not simply as a marketing channel, but as a driver of influence, reputation and growth,” Ng said.
“My vision is to continue evolving Havas Red’s social offering beyond content creation and channel management, building a practice where social intelligence informs communications strategy, influencer and creator partnerships drive credibility, and content creates meaningful audience engagement. While technologies and platforms will continue to evolve, the brands that succeed will be those that combine innovation with genuine human insight and cultural relevance.”
Social media, influencer and creator comms are central to Havas Red’s Merged Media model, which integrates traditional and digital publishing, content, social, and data within a single infrastructure.
Earlier this year Havas Red launched CRed, its evolved creator and influencer marketing practice. CRed moves brands away from transactional content toward long-term, trust-driven cultural credibility and community-led engagement.
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