M&C Saatchi New Zealand head of strategy Tony Burt and ECD Dave King appointed joint CEOs following departure of Darryn Melrose
M&C Saatchi New Zealand head of strategy Tony Burt and ECD Dave King have been appointed joint CEOs following the departure of former chief executive Darryn Melrose.
“I have now been on the agency side of the industry for 10 years,” Melrose says. “Reaching certain milestones does create a need for personal review and reflection on what goals have been achieved, and what needs to come next.
“So I have set down what I want to achieve in the forthcoming years, and sadly that means resigning as CEO of M&C Saatchi. This agency has been terrific with some of the best people I have worked with. I will genuinely miss the team and the fantastic clients who have made working here so rewarding.”
Says King (top right): “I’m very sad to see Darryn go. He’s become a great mate and I know he’ll be brilliant back clientside. He’s mentioned some interesting plans for the future so watch this space. I’m also incredibly excited by the opportunities we have as an agency. We’ve got a great team of staff and clients so there’s plenty to look forward to.”
Adds Burt (top left): “I’ve worked with Darryn for nearly four years now and it has been a lot of fun. I’ve no doubt he’ll do well in his next venture. I’m now really looking forward to what lies ahead for us. We have a great team across our two offices and the agency has compiled strength in key disciplines over recent years. I’m excited to see us build on these as we continue to deliver great work for our clients.”
While sharing the CEO responsibilities, Burt and King will also retain their Strategy and Creative roles respectively.
10 Comments
The photo on the left is so not cool. What was he thinking?
I wonder what their policy on hiring gingas will be now Dave’s at the top.
I see they listened to my son and swapped out the photo on the left already.
Thanks Dog. From my experience, Gingas are the top of the food chain. So I expect the agency will be full of my fellow gingers in due course. Cheers.
Finally it dawned on Melrose that no matter who’s at the helm, M&C here in NZ are doomed to being an ‘also ran’ whose only possible claim to fame is to squeeze their 15 minutes via a corporate ad targeting another agency’s momentary misfortune.
Hi Kevin.
Come now old chap, you know you can’t downplay a cataclysmic fuck-up as a momentary misfortune.
Yep, putting your support behind it wasn’t your finest hour. Granted.
But maybe we could all let that one slide as a, as you say momentary misfortune.
But no no no! Not the other. That was a little bit more than slipping on a banana skin.
Ahem, excuse me, but according to the new CAANZ code of ethics by wwhich we must all guide our actions, Well Well’s comments are in violation of bullet point 3 of the section regarding Relationships with suppliers & the media for using ‘diisparaging’ language. You’re a very naughty Boy!
Ah, Mr Pernickity, but are you not also in violation of bullet point 3 of the Code of Ethics for saying ‘naughty boy’?
I think you will find that the words ‘naughty boy’ are a step too far. You have crossed the line. Demeaned our industry. Brought shame on us all.
It won’t be long now before the powers that be unmask you and sit you down in front of the House of Lords at CAANZ for a jolly big spanking.
2:59. I would have to agree with 1:19.
The ‘corporate ad’ targeting another agency’s misfortune was definitely a little unfortunate.
Sure that campaign the ad was about wasn’t anyone’s shining hour – bit of a cringe, no doubt about it. But to err is to be human and at some time, all agencies are human and make mistakes.
Bit like one agency who recently made a mistake with a certain Ginger ad. Luckily, the rest of the industry won’t go running ads about eh?
By “cataclysmic fuck-up” do you mean for instance when a campaign you run ends up being so effective that the client needs police protection?