Saatchi & Saatchi has announced that global CEO Robert Senior will step down from his role “to pursue personal ambitions”, and named Magnus Djaba as his replacement.
Currently the UK chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi Fallon, Djaba will lead the global network in the newly-created role of global president, working alongside Saatchi & Saatchi’s global chairwoman and chief creative officer, Kate Stanners, as well as global chief strategy officer David Hackworthy.
The company said in a statement that Senior will “ensure a smooth transition over the next three months” and continue to work directly with Publicis Communications CEO Arthur Sadoun as strategic adviser throughout the rest of the year before his departure.
Commenting on his resignation, Senior said he is leaving Saatchi & Saatchi excited about his future and “incredibly proud of the past”.
“It’s been a brilliant adventure, with the bruises and tattoos to show for it. This agency, its people and its culture, have been, and will always be, defining for me,” Senior said.
“But everything takes its natural course and I have decided the time is right for me to do something different, and to fulfil some longstanding promises to myself.”
Senior said he “couldn’t be more pleased” for Djaba’s promotion, with the pair having worked together for 14 years.
“I have committed to helping Magnus manage the transition over the coming months, and I am confident he, Kate and David will make a magnificent trio and will enjoy tremendous success together along with the very brilliant teams across the network,” he said.
“And it goes without saying that I’d like to wish Arthur and the Publicis Groupe all the best for what I have no doubt will be a very exciting future.”
Sadoun thanked Senior for the “drive, dedication and determination” he has brought to Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis Communications, and said Djaba’s appointment recognises the strong results he has driven at Saatchi & Saatchi London.
“I am confident that he will be a key pillar of the Groupe’s ‘Power of One’ strategy and will strongly contribute to the development of Publicis Communications by leveraging the S&S purpose and its ‘Nothing is impossible’ spirit,” he said.
Djaba said he was deeply grateful both Senior and Sadoun for the opportunity to lead the next stage of the network’s growth.
“Robert isn’t just a giant of our industry – he’s a giant in my life,” Djaba said.
“He taught me that you never own talent, you only borrow it. Saatchi & Saatchi has been fortunate to borrow such talent for many years. I could have had no better tutor to prepare me to follow in his footsteps as the leader of the world’s best-known agency brand.
“Saatchi & Saatchi will continue to be an active element of Publicis Groupe’s ‘The Power of One’ strategy and will benefit the incredible assets available across the Groupe.”
