MANILA – Havas Ortega recently appointed Jeff Sulit, an industry veteran with over twenty years experience in various media and creative agencies, as Chief Financial Officer.
Sulit was most recently with J. Walter Thompson Philippines since 2011. As Director for Finance, Admin and IT, he was responsible for overall risk and planning, operations and management of the agency’s financial activities. He worked closely with JWT’s CEO in making strategic operational decisions as well as representing them in the 4A’s. He has also had strategic stints in various top companies. He started his career in 1993 at Sycip, Gorres, Velayo & Company (SGV & CO.) as part of its staff and was assigned to perform audit procedures to determine if clients’ financial reports were fairly stated in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. He also oversaw audit engagement when he became Audit Senior. After three years, he moved to Fasttrack Integrated Marketing Communications, then a Lowe Company. As Finance and Administrative Manager, he headed the accounting, finance and traffic departments, supervising and managing all transactions and reviewing reports. In 2000, he transferred to Basic Advertising as their Chief Accountant, assisting the then Vice-President for Finance in daily operations and special projects on top of his accounting duties. When that company merged with Jimenez D’Arcy to become Jimenez Basic Advertising, he assumed the roles of Controller of Client Accounts for three years before being promoted to Associate Finance Director, where he stayed until 2008 and which gave him exposure to the Publicis regional office and its head office in Paris, France. In Publicis Manila, he became the Financial Controller, responsible for the over-all operations and management of the agency’s financial accounting activities, even representing the company in the 4A’s Finance Standard and Authority Board.
Joining Havas Ortega is a welcome challenge for Sulit. “Havas Ortega in Manila has been at the forefront of integration and I want to be part of the evolution. I really want to make sure that the resources can continue to support our aggressive targets. And, of course, I’m excited and expect to have a lot of fun since this agency is known for that,” he reveals.
Sulit will be leading a very capable team that has been in operation since the beginning of Havas Ortega four years ago. The group’s Chairman and CEO, Jos Ortega says, “Jeff is strategic hire. His previous experience in media and creative agencies will prove to be an asset. He has the breadth of experience to take our village concept to the next level and make it prosper. We are very fortunate to have him.” He adds that Sulit will work closely with the other Managing Partners, Hermie de Leon and Tonypet Sarmiento, in continuing to support, improve and innovate on integration among the disciplines and specialities in the Havas Ortega village.
