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Tag: Moray MacLennan

  • M&C Saatchi trains eyes on Asia; names Ben Welsh as creative chairman

    M&C Saatchi trains eyes on Asia; names Ben Welsh as creative chairman

    MUMBAI: With its eyes trained on the rapidly growing Asian market, M&C Saatchi has named Ben Welsh as the agency’s creative chairman of Asia. Welsh was formerly at M&C Saatchi Sydney as executive creative director.

     

    Welsh’s appointment marks a change in emphasis for the network. Asia as a region has changed dramatically in recent years – China took over as the largest economy from the US in 2014, India has the fastest growing advertising industry in the world and Japan is the second most innovative country in the world. The addition of Welsh demonstrates the network’s spotlight on Asia.

     

    Welsh’s focus will be pitching for both international and national brands in each region, attracting creative talent and developing the creative output of the five agencies the network runs there.

     

    Welsh has helped to establish M&C Saatchi Sydney as the leading creative shop in Australia – and has led the agency to its biggest trophy-haul yet at Cannes this year, consolidating its position as the country’s number one creative agency. M&C Saatchi Australia came home with a coveted Titanium Lion, one of only five up for grabs, to cap off a 10-Lion haul.

     

    M&C Saatchi CEO worldwide Moray MacLennan said, “This appointment underlines our commitment to the core of our business – the creative product. Ben is the best combination of strategic thinker and creative leader. Add in his boundless energy and Asia will be hugely strengthened. He is also an excellent brand ambassador for M&C Saatchi having worked for us for the last 18 years.”

     

    Welsh added, “I’m really excited at the thought of what we can do in the region. We have some brilliant people and I look forward to working with them to create an impact in such a diverse part of the world.”

     

    Welsh will start his new role on 1 October. His appointment follows the departure of Chris Jacques who was regional CEO. He will be based in Sydney but regularly travelling to Singapore, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Tokyo.

     

    Welsh joined M&C Saatchi Sydney in 1997 as a senior writer and was then promoted to creative director in 2003. Previously, he led a team of over 50 creatives working across digital, direct, retail and above the line media in Australia’s largest agency.

  • M&C Saatchi and Delhi-based February join forces

    M&C Saatchi and Delhi-based February join forces

    MUMBAI: M&C Saatchi Worldwide is strengthening its presence in India through a tie- up with Delhi-based independent creative agency, February. The tie-up sees the launch of a new Indian agency christened M&C Saatchi February with immediate effect.

     

    Offering  advertising, design, digital, social, mobile, events and activation, M&C Saatchi February’s founding portfolio of blue-chip  clients  will  include  Nando’s,  Typhoo,  Avis,  Blossom  Kochhar  Aroma  Magic,  DLF  retail, Ananda in the Himalayas, SBI Cards and Panasonic Mobility.

     

    M&C Saatchi Worldwide CEO Moray MacLennan said, “India is a fundamental part of our global strategy, and we’re delighted to join forces with a brilliant team to help us create a global hub in this critical market.”

     

    The deal follows a strategic review of the agency’s Indian operations and will see M&C Saatchi’s new Indian  agency  –  M&C  Saatchi  February  –  headquartered  in  February’s  offices  in  Delhi’s  Shahpur Jat.

     

    February’s  founders  Gopal  Krishnan  and  Nirmal  Pulickal  will take over  the leadership  of  the combined operation. They will be supported by M&C Saatchi Delhi CEO Anjali Nayar, who has been appointed as the president of the new venture.

     

    MacLennan  added, “In Gopal, Nirmal and the team at February, we have found our perfect partners. They’ve built an agency producing world-class work for both local and international clients.  They share our obsession with ‘Brutal Simplicity of Thought’, and our laser-like focus on building business results for our clients.”

     

    Initially, the  partners  of  February  will  have  a  majority  stake  in  the  venture,  with  M&C  Saatchi Worldwide taking over the majority stake over an agreed timescale.

     

    Krishnan said,  “We’re  delighted  to be  joining  forces  with  M&C Saatchi  as we embark  on the next phase  of February’s  exciting  journey.  We’ve been doing some great work for some wonderful clients over the last couple of years, and this new partnership will help us play on an even bigger stage going forward.”

     

    Pulickal added, “When we launched February two years ago we had a simple goal – to create great work that works for our clients’ business.  It’s great to find a partner in M&C Saatchi who shares our vision entirely. We’re very excited about the future of M&C Saatchi February.”