M+C Saatchi taps Clemenger once again for leadership hire

Strategist Sophie Gallagher is the latest ex-Clemenger BBDO talent to join M+C Saatchi ANZ, part of a wave of hires since CEO Dani Bassil took the reins six months ago.

She steps in as group strategy director, reporting to her former Clemenger boss Simon Wassef, who recently became the agency’s group chief strategy officer.

Gallagher will lead M+C Saatchi’s “connections strategy”, bridging media and creative across the network, having previously spent the last two years at Clemenger BBDO.

Bassil herself spent three years as CEO at Clemenger BBDO before officially leaving last June and joining M+C Saatchi two months later.

Since her arrival, at least four former Clemenger leaders have followed her to the global independent network, including Wassef and Gallagher.

In addition, ex-chief growth officer Anita Zanesco recently joined as M+C Saatchi chief marketing officer, while former cultural design head Rhian Mason is now managing partner for M+C’s PR and influencing arm, plus sport and entertainment.

In a press release statement, Wassef described Gallagher as a “gun”.

“She has the rare gift of being able to combine big strategy optimism with real strategy pragmatism. Her ideas are exciting, and they work bloody hard,” he said.

“She’s chosen M+C as the place to wield her talent, elevate our work, push the industry forward and help our clients grow. Let’s enjoy the show.”