M&C Saatchi: A 21-Year-Old With A Bright Future
M&C Saatchi turns 21 this year and has plenty to celebrate as one of the largest, most lauded and successful players in Australian adland.
The Group will mark the occasion with staff, clients, media and some old friends at a glittering 21st birthday party in Sydney this Thursday (the 21st) where it will be toasting the future as much as its past and present.
A future that will continue its transformation as a business that augments advertising with creativity in all shapes and forms to help solve business problems.
Some key milestone of this evolution include the recent launch of:
- Innovation hub Tricky Jigsaw to significantly bolster capacity to develop new products and services, working out of the ‘maker’ lab installed at M&C Saatchi Group’s Sydney HQ.
- Customer relationship business LIDA distilling insights from big data for clients.
- A retail division to help brands navigate the intersection of tech, online, mobile and data with physical retail environments that may also one day help M&C Saatchi sell its own products.
All are achieving significant outcomes for clients and setting the Group well on its path to attaining CEO Jaimes Leggett’s vision of being the most influential creative company in Australia by 2020.
M&C Saatchi has been embracing change and transformation since that May day in 1995 when Tom Dery first flung open its doors – from a Sydney Hotel room with little more than a personal credit card and ambition to service foundation clients Qantas and British Airways.
It was mere weeks after the Saatchi brothers famously walked out of the London agency they had built to become the world’s most successful and renowned to form another to carry their name.
Dery soon coaxed Tom McFarlane up from Melbourne as CD to form a partnership that still endures.
Within 18 months M&C Saatchi Australia had 14 clients, 39 staff, an AdNews Agency of the Year title and an office in Pitt St.
Ever since it has sustained that remarkable run of year-on-year growth and acclaim to be a leading force in Australian advertising.
Today it has more than 450 staff across two offices (Sydney and Melbourne) and 12 businesses.
It has just gone back-to-back as the B&T Grand Prix Agency of the Year – the first agency to ever do so – and enjoyed its most successful year at Cannes with Titanium amid its 10-Lion haul.
Its client roster comprises some of the nation’s largest and most successful brands who each day touch millions of Australians. M&C Saatchi engages them with memorable, enduring work built off big brand platforms such as: CommBank ‘Can’, Optus ‘Yes’, ‘NRMADE BETTER’ and the likes of ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ that has been picked up and run with elsewhere.
Leggett said: “It’s great to take a moment on this special milestone to reflect oneverything the Group has achieved.
“Back-to-back Grand Prix Agency of the year titles is something we’re fiercely proud of, neither of which could have been achieved was it not for the legacy forged by Tom and Tom.
“Standing on the shoulders of giants gives you a great view and we couldn’t be more excited by what we see ahead.
“Creativity will always be our stock in trade. In an age where category disruption is rife, creativity as a means of driving business transformation has never been more important.
“We are embracing those opportunities and the challenge to not only keep a step ahead of the market. But to help define it’s future.”
Dery, into his seventh year as M&C Saatchi Worldwide Chairman, said: “We were very fortunate in Australia to have such fantastic support from the leadership group in London who backed us on everything we wanted to do from the outset. Plus, the association with Maurice Saatchi was inspirational.
“Other highlights for me are all the truly brilliant people – the colleagues and clients – I’ve worked with and continue to work with, none more so than Tom McFarlane. Many have become lifelong friends. That and the chance to help businesses overcome challenges to reach and exceed their goals.
“The first 21 years were great but such is the leadership, the talent and the ambition around the place now, I’m absolutely confident the Group will reach new heights as we move forward.”
McFarlane, these days M&C Saatchi’s regional creative director – Asia Pacific said: “The opportunity to grow something is what got me on a plane from Melbourne all those years ago and to this day it is what I enjoy most.
“Finding a ‘big idea’ that will genuinely help a client’s business grow, nurturing young talent and watching an industry I love continue to flourish.
“I am immeasurably proud that so many successful people in agencies here and around the world began, or grew their careers at M&C Saatchi Australia. It’s been a hell of a ride, wild at times, but always fun.
“Along the way I have been privileged to work with so many talented people, who are also good people. Not the least Tom Dery who has been my partner and friend for over 25 years.”
To mark the occasion M&C Saatchi has published a beautiful, 148-page coffee table hardback book that celebrates each of the 21 years through milestones and a showcase of seminal work. A copy of the book has been given to each staff member, clients and media.
Some highlights from M&C Saatchi’s first 21 years:
- The Australian’s ‘Agency of the Decade’ 2000 to 2010.
- 32 Agency of the Year titles.
- Hundreds of creative and effectiveness awards.
- Ranked No.2 on BRW’s Most Innovative Companies List (2014).
- A client roster, both past and present, that amounts to deep experience (in some instances up to two decades) across virtually every sector, including: financial services, telco, insurance, airlines, tech, big retail, auto, FMCG, not-for-profit, tourism, media, software, fashion and apparel.
- An unfair share of market-leading – and in some instances world’s best – talent highlighted by the following recent appointments:
Chief Creative Officer Andy Dilallo, Executive Creative Director Michael Canning, Chief Strategy Officer Justin Graham, Managing Partner and Head of Commbank Mim Haysom, Head of Innovation Ben Cooper, Managing Director of Bang PR Annalise Brown.
Please login with linkedin to comment
QantasLatest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.