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