Published on: September 24, 2026
Havas Chicago has appointed Larry Gies as Chief Strategy Officer, adding the veteran strategist to its leadership team as the agency looks to strengthen its strategic capabilities and creative output.
Gies joins Havas Chicago after 17 years at Energy BBDO, where he played a key role in developing the agency’s strategy practice and contributed to some of its most recognised campaigns. His career spans more than three decades, during which he has worked on brand strategies for several major global names.
Earlier in his career, Gies contributed to the strategy behind Nike’s “Just Do It” platform and Miller Lite’s U.S. “Beer Wars” campaign. He later worked on campaigns that helped position chewing gum within popular culture.
During his tenure at Energy BBDO, Gies and his team developed the strategic direction behind Extra Gum’s “Sarah and Juan” film and the “For When It’s Time” campaign, along with work for Old Forester Kentucky Turtle Derby and Champion Reverse Weave. His strategic leadership contributed to more than 100 strategy and effectiveness honours for Energy BBDO, including Effies, Cannes Lions for Effectiveness, Jay Chiat Awards, APG Awards and WARC recognition.
“The best strategy starts with what people care about and gives creative teams the freedom to make something that people actually want to engage with,” said Larry . “What attracted me to Havas Chicago is their ability to operate at two frequencies, balancing the discipline of traditional brand building with the ability to be fluid, agile and culturally in tune. There’s a real entrepreneurial spirit here, and I’m excited to be part of what the team is building.”
At Havas Chicago, Gies will oversee the agency’s strategic direction and work closely with agency president Kat Ott and chief creative officer Frank Dattalo. His responsibilities will include strengthening client capabilities, supporting talent development and helping elevate the agency’s work.
Gies joins the agency at a time when brands are navigating an evolving relationship with culture and audiences. His experience across brand building and culturally relevant campaigns is expected to support Havas Chicago’s approach to strategy and creative development.
“Larry has the rare ability to connect the long-term thinking required to build enduring brands with an instinct for what matters to people right now,” said Frank. “I got to experience this first hand when we worked together at EnergyBBDO, helping launch Orbit and 5 Gum with the iconic “Dirty Mouth” and “Stimulate Your Senses” campaigns, getting our first taste of viral work that became part of the cultural vernacular. He truly embodies our “hi-low” philosophy, understanding that strategy today has to be both rigorous and radically connected to culture. I’m beyond excited to reunite with him.”
The appointment also marks a return to the Havas network for Gies. He began his career in Chicago at Tatham Euro RSCG, where he worked on the Procter & Gamble business, before moving through roles at J. Walter Thompson, Wieden + Kennedy, TBWA/Chiat/Day and Y&R Chicago. He subsequently spent 17 years at Energy BBDO before returning to Havas Chicago.
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