Virginia Hyland departs Havas Media, alleges workplace rights breach
The Australian boss of Havas Media, Virginia Hyland, has exited the business after five years, alleging a breach of workplace rights.
Havas Media Network confirmed this in a statement sent to Mumbrella.
“Havas Media Australia and Virginia and are actively working toward an amicable and progressive resolution. Out of respect for this process and for all involved we won’t be making further comments at this time.”
Virginia Hyland
Hyland and her lawyers from Sasphire Legal filed a Breach of General Protections claim against the holdco’s local media network — which makes up about 30% of the total Havas business in Australia — in the Federal Court.
These claims refer to alleged adverse actions taken by employers, such as dismissal, demotion, or unfair treatment, according to the Fair Work Commission.
Details of this dispute are unclear, however per Mi3, tensions between Hyland and Havas Media’s global management could be a factor. Hyland’s claim is currently in the process of being settled outside of court.
Mumbrella understands Hyland hasn’t been in the business since at least mid-April, with the media group instead being looked after by group CEO of Havas Creative Network ANZ, global CEO of Havas Red, and global chair of Havas PR network, James Wright.
In the wake of her exit, Havas Media will recruit for Hyland’s replacement.
Hyland had been in the Havas network since 2020. Her then 15-year-old independent media agency, Hyland Media, was acquired by the holdco and she became managing director of the Hyland Division. She worked closely with Havas Media chair Mike Wilson and chief executive Matt Houltham.
Within a number of months, she was named the new chief executive of Havas Media, as Houltham departed.
Under her guide, Havas Media has aligned itself with the holdco’s global M&A strategy, having acquired Melbourne-based indie Hotglue last year.
Hyland is also the deputy chair of the Media Federation of Australia.
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Lauren McNamara is a freelance journalist contributing to Mumbrella. She previously spent three years at the publication, most recently as the associate editor. She first joined in 2022 after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS. She left her staff role at Mumbrella in August 2025.
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