Mercedes Erra
Mercedes Erra is a French businesswoman.[1] She is the Executive President of Havas Worldwide, co-founder of BETC, and CEO of Havas. Mercedes Erra is a specialist in brand building and communication. She is well-known for her work with Danone, Evian, and Air France. Her campaign "Roller Babies" for Evian made it into the Guinness World Records as the most viewed online advertisement, with over 75 million views.[2]
She moved to France at the age of six. She studied at HEC Paris. She began her career as an intern at Saatchi & Saatchi in 1981. Later, she became advertising director, client manager, deputy managing director, and eventually general director of Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising until 1995. She is the "E" in the BETC agency (Babinet Erra Tong Cuong).[3]
A strong advocate for women's leadership, she co-founded the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society. She also collaborates with UNICEF and the ELLE Foundation. She is an active member of the French committee of Human Rights Watch and a permanent member of the French Commission on the Image of Women in the Media. In March 2012, Erra was appointed to the board of directors of Art Media Society.[4]