ASIA-PACIFIC – AUSTRALIA, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 – Jaimes Leggett has been appointed as chief executive officer of M&C Saatchi Australia.
Leggett has resigned as managing director of Ogilvy & Mather UK to take the role based out of M&C Saatchi’s Sydney office. He will report to M&C Saatchi Worldwide chairman Tom Dery.
“We’re not going anywhere,” clarified Dery, who is continuing on his current role, along with M&C Saatchi regional creative Director Asia Pacific Tom McFarlane.
Since Leggett took over Ogilvy & Mather London as managing director in 2010, the agency experienced double-digit growth year on year while gaining creative acclaim, winning more Cannes Lions in 2012 than in the past 20 years. During his tenure, the agency successfully pitched for Philips, SC Johnson, Kronenbourg, Expedia, Motorola, Grant Thornton, BP Solar, TK Maxx and Europcar.
He has held digital positions in O&M Advertising (global head of digital) and Grand Union (managing director). He began his career as an account director at digital agency Netbyte before moving to a similar role at the advertising agency Urlwin, McDonald & Clients in Auckland.
Dery said the appointment represented a watershed moment in M&C Saatchi’s 18-year history. “Jaimes is a proven leader, problem solver and generator of new business. His experience in dealing with global ideas and digital businesses has equipped him well to lead our group into the future."
“Most importantly he recognises the value of ideas. And, aside from everything else, Jaimes is a great guy who’s personality will endear him to our staff and our clients.”
He will have “total autonomy to propel the business forward with support from myself, Tom McFarlane, managing director David Whittle, executive creative director Ben Welsh and the rest of the leadership group”, Dery added.
Leggett called the role “a world class opportunity to work with some of the great talents in the industry (on both the client and agency side). What’s more it’s in my part of the world. It’s an ideal scenario really.”
