Jorge Plasencia of Republica Havas Miami: Cannes Lions is not just about winning prizes, but about discussing subjects that affect society

For Jorge Plasencia, co-founder, chairman & CEO of Republica Havas, the last five years have seen a transformation, not just in the U.S. but also in Latin America. These changes were reflected on the first day of Cannes Lions 2023, when his office in Miami won the first Lionin its history (bronze) for its campaign The Name Confusion for ALMA/Racing Club in the Health & Wellness category. “We have focused on the product, on the culture of employees and the service par excellence for clients. Upon entering the offices one feels a positive atmosphere and a transformation. There is in fact a new branding of the group at a global level, and Republica Havas Miami will keep growing as a brand,” he said. In just that way he said they are living at a very special moment, taking home that first metal after 16 years of working in the industry. “This is really a time for celebration. We’ve been raised to the agency level in every sense of the word, from strategic to creative. Now with Tony Waissmann leading the team for the past year, one can really see how everyone has made such an effort to produce work that doesn’t just win prizes, but speaks positively of subjects that affect all society,” Plasencia said.