Saatchi & Saatchi Australia has appointed Kate Smither as its new chief strategy officer.

Smither is regarded as one of the world’s most awarded strategists, recognised by all the major creative and effectiveness awards. While global planning director at Ogilvy in London, her strategic leadership on Dove contributed to the success of the Dove Real Beauty Sketches campaign. The campaign won over 40 awards, including Cannes Titanium Grand Prix and Cannes Effectiveness Lions as well as the Grand Prix at the North American Effies.

Smither joins from M&C Saatchi, where she was Group Strategy Director and the strategy lead across all of CommBank’s communications. Kate has also worked with AGL, Medibank, Defence Forces, General Mills, Dove, Schweppes, the AFL, Cricket Australia and Cadbury in Australia and overseas.

Smither said of her appointment: “I am thrilled to join Michael and the team at Saatchi & Saatchi. They live and breathe a creative commitment to their clients’ businesses that is exceptional. For a planner the chance to work on great brands with a brilliant team was just too good to pass up.”

Saatchi & Saatchi CEO, Michael Rebelo, said:“It’s genuinely exciting to have someone of Kate’s world-class strategic pedigree join our team. She is a proven strategic leader who is passionate about creativity that solves client’s business problems. Her international and Australian experience will be a great source of insight for our clients and importantly the chemistry fit with our culture is spot on.”