Robert Senior, global CEO Saatchi & Saatchi, has resigned, and will be replaced by Magnus Djaba (above left), UK CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Fallon, who will take on the newly created global president role and will lead the network, alongside Kate Stanners (above right), worldwide chief creative officer and chairwoman, and David Hackworthy, worldwide chief strategy officer.
Senior (above middle) will ensure a smooth transition over the next three months, and will continue to work directly with Arthur Sadoun, CEO Publicis Communications, as strategic advisor throughout the rest of the year before leaving the network to pursue personal ambitions. The move comes three months after the controversial departure of Saatchi & Saatchi global
Executive Chairman and Publicis Groupe Head Coach, Kevin Roberts.
Djaba will add this new global role to his existing responsibilities.
Djaba has led Saatchi & Saatchi London since 2011 and has overseen
50% growth at the agency, by delivering new capabilities to existing
clients and some transformational new business wins such as EE, HSBC,
Direct Line and more recently Asda. In 2016 Saatchi & Saatchi London
ranked number one on Campaign's New Business league table. These
results have been achieved alongside a breakthrough creative performance
with campaigns such as Deutsche Telekom's Sea Hero Quest, and award
wins at Cannes, Clios, D&AD and The One Show.
Says Sadoun: "I want to thank Robert for the drive, dedication and
determination he has brought to Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis
Communications. Magnus' appointment to global president is first and
foremost in recognition of the strong results he has driven for Saatchi
& Saatchi London and the value he has generated for his clients. 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."
Says Senior: "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.
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. I will miss the extraordinary people at Saatchi
& Saatchi and Fallon, but I leave excited about my future and
incredibly proud of the past.
"I couldn't be more pleased for
Magnus, with whom I have worked for 14 years and whose intelligence,
integrity and loyalty I have admired and valued throughout. 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. 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."
Adds Djaba:
"Robert isn't just a giant of our industry, he's a giant in my life. 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 and I'm deeply
grateful both to him, and to Arthur, for the opportunity to lead the
next stage of our growth. 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."
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