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M&C Saatchi

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M&C Saatchi Group
LSE: SAA
IndustryAdvertising
FoundedMay 1995
FounderMaurice Saatchi, Charles Saatchi, Jeremy Sinclair, Bill Muirhead, David Kershaw
HeadquartersLondon,
London
Number of locations
21
Area served
Asia, Australia, Europe, UK, Middle East, Africa and the Americas
Key people
Zaid Al-Qassab (Global CEO), Zillah Byng-Thorne (Executive Chair)
Revenue£252.8m for FY2023
Number of employees
2700
Websitewww.mcsaatchi.com

M&C Saatchi Group (LSE: SAA) is an international communications company, formed in May 1995 as an advertising agency. With more than 2,400 staff, the group has its headquarters in London, and offices in several other countries.

M&C Saatchi Group claims to be the world's largest independent communications network.[1] 

The group is listed on the AIM Board of the London Stock Exchange.

In May 2022, Next Fifteen Communications Group tried to buy M&C Saatchi Group for $387.2 million.[2]

History

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M&C Saatchi Group started as an advertising agency in 1995, founded by Maurice & Charles Saatchi, Jeremy Sinclair, Bill Muirhead and David Kershaw, in a split from Saatchi & Saatchi. A number of Saatchi and Saatchi's London management and creative staff also joined. Some clients soon followed, including Gallaher Group, Mirror Newspapers, the retailer Dixons and after a competitive pitch, British Airways and its part subsidiary Qantas, as well as the Conservative Party, for whom they made the infamous New Labour, New Danger adverts. By early 1996, the network consisted of offices in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, New York and Auckland.[3] In 2020, the group stated that it operated in 24 countries, with regional offices in London, New York, Milan, Cape Town, Sydney and Singapore.[4]

In 2019, some accounting errors from previous financial years were discovered. Problems included the early recognition of revenue for projects not fully completed and the capitalising of assets which ought to have been expensed. The issues were brought to the attention of the PLC directors and an announcement was made that charges of £6.4M would be booked in the 2019 year relating to either 2018 or 2019.[5] PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed as independent advisors to review and confirm findings.[6] In December 2019, the Board announced the total charges would in fact be £11.6M.[6] The company's original auditor KPMG resigned earlier in 2019.[6]

It was reported that the agency's client, the Financial Conduct Authority – Britain's financial watchdog - issued a formal request for information to examine M&C's disclosure of the accounting problems which prompted the share price fall.[7]

In January 2021, the founders of the agency stepped down and Moray MacLennan became the new CEO.[8] In January 2021, M&C Saatchi Group hosted a virtual capital markets event for institutional investors and analysts, where they announced a new strategy and operating model.[9] The new mantra 'We Navigate, Create and Lead Meaningful Change' was launched, described by MacLennan as a 'new chapter' for M&C Saatchi.[10] Following this launch and announcement of positive financial results, the M&C Saatchi plc share price rallied, jumping from 90p to 150p in early March 2021.[11]

On the 13th May 2024, Zaid Al-Qassab, previous CMO of Channel 4, joined as Global CEO.

Board

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Zillah Byng-Thorne, Executive Chairman, Zaid Al-Qassab, Global CEO, Simon Fuller, Chief Financial Officer, Heather Rabbatts, Non-Executive Chair, Colin Jones, Non-Executive Director, Louise Jackson, Non-Executive Director and Chris Sweetland, Non-Executive Director make up the M&C Saatchi Board as of 2024.[12]

In July 2023, it was announced that Moray MacLennan would be stepping down as CEO.[13] On the 13th May 2024, Zaid Al-Qassab, previous CMO of Channel 4, joined as Global CEO, following which Zillah Byng-Thorne, acting Executive Chair, returned to her role as Non-Executive Chair of the Company.

Awards

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Agency Awards include:

  • Campaign, Start-up Agency of the Year: Fluency, 2023.[14]
  • UK Sponsorship Awards, Agency of the Year: M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, 2023.[15]
  • Fast Company names SS+K, part of M&C Saatchi Group The 10 most innovative companies in advertising of 2023.[16]
  • Marketing Interactive Agency of the Year Awards, Creative Agency of the Year (Gold), Independent Agency of the Year (Silver), Agency team of the year (Silver), Best Agency - client partnership (Silver) M&C Saatchi Malaysia 2023.[17]
  • The American Business Awards, Marketing or Advertising Agency of the Year M&C Saatchi Performance US 2022.[18]
  • Campaign Media, Performance Marketing Agency of the Year Bronze, 2022.
  • Agency of the Year Campaign Awards, M&C Saatchi Indonesia, 2021.[19]
  • Agency of the Decade, NC Digital Awards, M&C Saatchi Milano, 2021.[20]
  • Most Innovative Company, Australian Financial Review Awards, M&C Saatchi Australia Group, 2017, 2019.[21]
  • Agency of the Decade, Mobile Marketing Effectiveness Awards, M&C Saatchi Performance (formerly known as M&C Saatchi Mobile), 2020.[22]
  • Large Agency of the Year, FM Adfocus Awards, M&C Saatchi Abel, 2019.[23]
  • Agency of the Year, BT Sport Industry Awards, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, 6 times winners.[24]
  • Leading Consultants, Financial Times, Clear M&C Saatchi, 2017–21.[25]
  • Large Consultancy of the Year, UK Sponsorship Awards, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, 2019.[24]
  • Most Effective Media Agency The Drum, M&C Saatchi Performance, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.[26]
  • Digital Agency of the Year, The DADI Awards, M&C Saatchi Performance, 2016.[26]
  • Consultancy of the Year, PR Week, M&C Saatchi PR, 2017.[27]
  • Agency of the Year, Campaign Asia-Pacific, M&C Saatchi Australia Group, 2015.[28]
  • Creative Talent Management Agency of the Year, Business Excellence Awards from Acquisition International Magazine, M&C Saatchi Merlin, 2014.[29]

Work Awards include:

  • SABRE Awards EMEA, Best Reputation Work - 500 Tonnes Light: Grand Prix winner 2023.[30]
  • Lynx Awards Grand Prix, Film, Grand Prix winner, Grand Prix - Film Craft, Grand Prix winner, Film Craft – Direction, Silver, Film – Script, Silver for As good as the original campaign and Film Craft - Use of Original Music, Loyalty, Bronze and World Cup, Bronze Film - Online Film campaign, 2023.[31]
  • LA Film Festival, Best Animation Short Tourism Australia - Come & Say G'Day, 2023.[32]
  • UK Sponsorship Awards: Women’s Sport Sponsorship Award, Heineken, Cheers to All Fans Winner, Brand Sponsorship, Heineken, Cheers to All Fans, Winner, Sponsorship of the Year, Heineken, Cheers to All Fans, Winner, UKSA Spotlight Award - drinks sector (no entries, picked by UKSA), Heineken, Cheers to All Fans, Winner, International Sponsorship Award, Heineken x F1 - When you Drive Never Drink 2022, Winner, Best social purpose, community or charity sponsorship, Barclays, It all starts with a chance, Winner, Sport Sponsorship, O2, Wear the rose, Winner, 2023.[33]
  • The One Show Social Media: Stunts & Activations Business Iceland Outhorse your email, Gold 2023.[34]
  • US Effies, Talk/SS+K, Travel & Tourism (Silver), Current Events (Silver) and small budget (Bronze) for Business Iceland Icelandverse campaign 2023.[35]
  • The ABBY Awards - Animation - Video Craft, U GRO Capital - FUND ISLAND (Gold), Special effects  U GRO Capital FUND ISLAND (Silver), Reliance Jewels, MAHALAYA: Celebrating Grace & Glory, (Silver) and Reliance Jewels, RANNKAAR (Bronze) 2023.[36]
  • The ANDY's - Craft Idea: Business Iceland - Outhorse your email, winner SS+K 2023.[37]
  • Effies Awards, Golds in: David vs. Goliath, Travel & Tourism and Small Budgets - Services, for 'Looks Like You Need to Let It Out' for Promote Iceland, 2021.[38]
  • PR Week Awards, Winner Global Integration, Looks Like You Need To Let it Out' for Promote Iceland, 2021.[39]
  • Fast Company World Changing Idea, 'The Street Store' for Haven Shelter, 2020.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "About • M&C Saatchi Group". mcsaatchi.com. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  2. ^ Lepitak, Stephen (20 May 2022). "M&C Saatchi's $387M acquisition deal by Next Fifteen Group". Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  3. ^ "The Drum speaks to Jeremy Sinclair of M&C Saatchi to talk about the brutal simplicity of thought". The Drum. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  4. ^ "Contact • M&C Saatchi Group". mcsaatchi.com. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  5. ^ "M&C Saatchi crisis continues as company leaders flee". Accountancy Age. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  6. ^ a b c "Saatchi isn't working: ad agency crisis as directors and co-founder quit". the Guardian. 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  7. ^ Barker, Alex; Binham, Caroline (2019-12-12). "M&C Saatchi draws FCA scrutiny over accounting disclosure". Financial Times. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  8. ^ Barker, Alex (2020-12-18). "M&C Saatchi founders to depart ad group". Financial Times. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  9. ^ "Capital Markets Day and Trading Update – Company Announcement - FT.com". markets.ft.com. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  10. ^ "Meaningful Change • M&C Saatchi Group". mcsaatchi.com. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  11. ^ "M&C SAATCHI PLC ORD 1P (SAA.L) stock historical prices & data – Yahoo Finance". uk.finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  12. ^ "Board". M&C Saatchi PLC. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  13. ^ English, Simon (2023-07-24). "M&C Saatchi in hunt for new CEO as Moray MacLennan retires". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  14. ^ "Start-up Agency of the Year 2022: Fluency M&C Saatchi". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  15. ^ "The winning formula: eight factors that UKSA judges look for when selecting finalists for the TV Sponsorship category | Sponsorship Awards". www.sponsorship-awards.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  16. ^ "Most innovative companies advertising 2023".
  17. ^ "2023 AOTY Winners". Agency Of The Year Malaysia 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  18. ^ M&C Saatchi Performance is a Stevie® Award Winner in The 2022 American Business Awards®, 17 June 2022, retrieved 2023-09-05
  19. ^ "Agency of the Year 2020 winners: Southeast Asia | Advertising". Campaign Asia. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  20. ^ "NC Digital Awards". 28 May 2024.
  21. ^ "M&C Saatchi Tops Australian Financial Review's Most Innovative Companies 2017 List | LBBOnline". www.lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  22. ^ "BIG NEWS. WE WON AGENCY OF THE DECADE AT THE EFFECTIVE MOBILE MARKETING AWARDS 2019". M&C Saatchi Performance. 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  23. ^ "M&C Saatchi Abel wins three awards at the 2019 FM AdFocus awards". Media Update. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  24. ^ a b "Leading Sport & Entertainment sponsorship agency". M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  25. ^ "UK's Leading Management Consultants 2021: the ratings". www.ft.com. 2021-02-18. Archived from the original on 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  26. ^ a b "M&C Saatchi Mobile". Glints. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  27. ^ "PRWeek UK Awards Winners 2017: Mid-Sized Consultancy of the Year". www.prweek.com. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  28. ^ "2015 Agency of the Year winners: Australia and New Zealand | Advertising". Campaign Asia. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  29. ^ "2014 Business Excellence Awards". M&CSaatchi Merlin. 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  30. ^ "2023 SABRE EMEA Winners". PRovoke Media. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  31. ^ "Dubai Lynx 2023 Grand Prix Winners | LBBOnline". www.lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  32. ^ says, Yay (2023-03-29). "M&C Saatchi's 'G'day' Wins Best Animation Short at the Los Angeles International Film Festival". Campaign Brief. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  33. ^ "The winning formula: eight factors that UKSA judges look for when selecting finalists for the TV Sponsorship category | Sponsorship Awards". www.sponsorship-awards.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  34. ^ "Business Iceland | OutHorse Your Email". www.oneclub.org. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  35. ^ "US Effies award results".
  36. ^ "The ABBY Awards: Leo Burnett India wins big with a total of 42 awards; awards for special effects, design and art were also handed over -". www.animationxpress.com. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  37. ^ "The ANDY's".
  38. ^ ""Looks like you need to let it out" campaign awarded 3 EFFIES - Business Iceland". www.businessiceland.is. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  39. ^ "PRWeek Global Awards Winners 2021 - Global Integration". www.prweek.com. May 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  40. ^ Clendaniel, Morgan (2020-04-28). "World Changing Ideas Awards 2020: Corporate Social Responsibility Finalists and Honorable Mentions". Fast Company. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  41. ^ "#rightmyname | M&C Saatchi Abel | Nando's South Africa | D&AD Awards 2019 Pencil Winner | In-Market Campaign | D&AD". www.dandad.org. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  42. ^ "APG Long Term Thinking Award 2019 | APG". apglondon. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  43. ^ "Business Insider".
  44. ^ "Optus 'Clever Buoy' wins Cannes Gold Lion". Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  45. ^ "IPA | Public Health England - Be Clear on Cancer". ipa.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  46. ^ A League of Their Own - IMDb, retrieved 2021-03-04
  47. ^ "Olympics". YouTube. 27 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13.
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