Saatchi’s Asia confirms Matchett appointment
Following on from our exclusive story on Friday announcing the appointment of Bruce Matchett to replace Adrian Miller in the creative leadership role of Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore and Malaysia, here is the official word from Saatchi’s.
Matchett will move to Asia at the beginning of June and be based in Singapore. Miller resigned from the position mid-March.
“It’s a wonderful hire for us,” says Andy Greenaway, Saatchi’s regional creative director. “Bruce has all the attributes we need for the job: talent, hunger, a passion for innovation, tremendous mentoring skills and vast experience. These two markets have made huge strides creatively over the last couple of years. I believe Bruce will take us to the next level.”
Matchett has been the architect behind some memorable campaigns. In New Zealand, he caused a public outcry with his RSPCA campaign, which involved the use of live dogs. In India, he went one step further and created an ambient campaign for a potato chip brand which involved pyrotechnic stunts. He’s also produced some more traditional forms of advertising, too: from beer, soft drinks and chocolate, to cars, airlines and financial services.
Dean Taylor, the CEO for Saatchi across both markets, was instrumental in Matchett’s appointment. “We struck a chord the moment we met. I’m really excited about our partnership. We will do great things together.”
“Dean’s got tremendous energy, which I love,” said Matchett. “He’s also got a passion for the new world. Digital is like the air we breathe to him. It’s going to be a great journey.”
5 Comments
Poor saatchi, theyre just now paying the price for the excesses of previous creative directors whose only concern was to line their pockets with awards and get the hell out to higher jobs.
Big job with Saatchi & Saatchi defending both the Navy in Singapore and Tiger Beer in Malaysia. If they lose both of them it’s going to be a tough job for Bruce Matchett.
Anyone know when the Navy decision is coming? must be soon.
Andy Greenaway can’t do real ads or handle real clients.
He left ogilvy in a mess, now it’s saatchi’s turn.
At least they have the Thai SPCA as a client. Not.
Saatchi has always hired well for the ECD position (with one or two exceptions). Nearly all have carried on from Dave Droga and have contributed to the agency’s reputation before moving on.
And 3.12 my memory recalls Andy leaving Ogilvy with a great creative record and some very good creatives in the department who all benefited from his tenure.
Bruce’s rep: down to earth, fantastic rep in a much fireier environment of NZ and Australia working on massive clients and being very client facing.
What they need I think. Be good to have proper grown up leading an agency