SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — M+C Saatchi has bolstered its leadership team with two senior appointments, underscoring the agency’s commitment to strengthening client partnerships and driving growth across Australia.
Topher Jones has been named Client Experience Director (CED), a newly created national role based in Sydney, while Louise Rutherford has joined the Melbourne leadership team as Client Partner. Together, these appointments signal the agency’s strategic focus on integrating expertise nationally and reinforcing its Melbourne operations.
In his role as CED, Jones will oversee the integration of client services and specialist capabilities across Sydney and Melbourne, ensuring consistent excellence in client delivery. He brings with him 17 years of experience leading business management and brand building, most recently at Droga5 Sydney. His career spans senior roles at TEQUILA, Agency.com, AMV BBDO, and DDB, working on brands such as Westpac, Suntory, Meat & Livestock Australia, and British Airways.
Rutherford, meanwhile, will focus on driving client results and spearheading growth initiatives in Melbourne. She previously held the role of Group Business Director at Thinkerbell, leading accounts including GWM and Bupa. With over 14 years of experience, her career includes leadership positions at TBWA\Australia, The Monkeys, and Grey London, where she managed complex brands such as Vodafone UK, HSBC Global, Nissan, and Australia Post.
Commenting on the appointments, Tanya Vragalis, Managing Director M+C Saatchi ANZ said, “These appointments reinforce our focus on bringing in exceptional leadership to deliver meaningful impact for our clients. Topher and Louise have a deep level of experience, strong leadership, and a shared commitment to building best-in-class client partnerships. They are also exceptional humans.”
Both Jones and Rutherford emphasized the opportunity to join M+C Saatchi at a transformative time for the agency.
Jones remarked, “It was immediately clear this agency has big ambitions, strong values and a brilliant team behind it. I’m a firm believer that deep partnerships lead to heightened results – creatively, commercially and culturally – and M+C Saatchi has an incredible legacy of creating enduring brand platforms and long-term client relationships. I’m excited to build on that.”
Rutherford added, ”M+C Saatchi has an incredible resume, partnering with clients to create enduring and effective brand platforms. I’m grateful to have joined the Melbourne leadership team at such an exciting time.”
