M+C Saatchi global CEO Zaid Al-Qassab exits
M+C's Zaid Al-Qassab departs, citing a "challenging macro environment."
M+C Saatchi Group CEO Zaid Al‑Qassab has left the global advertising network “by mutual consent” after just two years at the helm.
The company told the London Stock Exchange that Al-Qassab will step down as CEO and board director on 31 March 2026, with leading British business veteran Heather Rabbatts stepping in as interim leader.
The announcement follows a challenging period for M+C Saatchi, with the group forecasting a 7% decline in revenue for calendar year 2025, a figure driven by its performance in Australia.
Qassab, who joined M+C Saatchi from UK television station Channel 4 in 2024, said in an LSX statement: “In a year defined by a challenging macro environment, I would like to thank all colleagues at M+C Saatchi for their continued hard work and commitment in delivering fantastic work for clients.
“I am confident that our world-famous creativity and excellent client retention combined with our portfolio strategy and higher-margin growth drivers will deliver value for clients, colleagues and shareholders.”
In an interview with Mumbrella last year, Al-Qassab described himself as an “optimist” despite the company’s plummeting share price on the London Stock Exchange.
He added: “At its best, the most creative work didn’t feel like it was being shoved in front of you, but that’s what it was. Now you have to be part of what people are interested in to even reach them.
“So the whole point of cultural power is to harness what’s going on with culture, passions and people’s interests — what really matters to people.”
In the same stock exchange update, M+C Saatchi said it expects profitable growth in 2026, highlighting a number of recent wins across its multi-specialist model. These include work supporting Coca-Cola’s Premier League sponsorship, creative assignments for the UK government, and expanded scope with JPMorgan Chase and Ferrari.
However, the picture appears weaker in Australia. The company noted that its 2025 revenue decline would be around 2.5% if the Australian market were excluded. Net revenue at M+C Saatchi Australia also fell by 26.5% in the first half of 2025.
This has prompted a restructure of the Australian advertising and consulting divisions, including the closure of its media arm Bohemia, alongside broader restructuring and leadership changes. The measures are estimated to have saved the company around £7 million (A$14 million).
The agency also opted not to re-pitch for the Australian Retirement Trust account as the super fund reviews its creative agency.
Two years ago, M+C Saatchi released the “Awaken Your Super” campaign for ART, creating the eye-catching mascot, the super “monster”, to illustrate taking control of the biggest financial investment in life.
Despite the downturn, the Australian business has recently bolstered its leadership ranks under new CEO Dani Bassil, hiring former Clemenger BBDO executives Simon Wassef, Anita Zanesco, Rhian Mason, and Sophie Gallagher.
The agency is also in the final two for Qantas’ sunrise campaign pitch alongside Droga5 ANZ, which has still to be awarded.
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