LONDON, United Kingdom, May 2024—M&C Saatchi Group is thrilled to announce the appointment of Zaid Al-Qassab as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 13th May 2024. This appointment follows the successful completion of standard regulatory due diligence. Subsequent to Zaid taking over, Zillah Byng-Thorne will transition from acting Executive Chair to resume her position as Non-Executive Chair of the company.
Zaid Al-Qassab comes to M&C Saatchi with a prolific background in advertising and marketing leadership, coupled with extensive experience in managing global teams and enhancing brand value. His most recent role was as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Channel 4, where his strategic leadership notably advanced the broadcaster’s market presence, securing it as the top brand and the third-ranked creative agency in 2023, according to Campaign Lists. Zaid was also recognized as one of the UK’s top ten marketers by Campaign in the same year.
Previously, Zaid served as the Chief Brand & Marketing Officer at BT plc, overseeing major brands such as BT, EE, Plusnet, and Openreach. His earlier career includes a significant tenure of 20 years at Procter & Gamble in various marketing and commercial roles, ascending to Managing Director of the Health & Beauty division for the UK & Ireland. Additionally, he has been a Non-Executive Director at the Advertising Standards Authority since 2018.
Zillah Byng-Thorne, Executive Chair, said: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Zaid’s calibre to lead M&C Saatchi into its next phase of growth. Zaid has proven leadership qualities, has managed global teams, and his client-centric focus, dynamism and commercial acumen will be highly valuable as we look to accelerate our growth trajectory.
“The advertising and marketing landscape is fast-moving and a modern, forward-thinking, agile leader like Zaid will help shape M&C Saatchi for excellence on the global stage, supported by our exceptional regional leaders across the UK and globally. It is truly an exciting moment for us.”
Zaid Al-Qassab said: “I have long admired M&C Saatchi’s creativity and industry-leading work and I am delighted to be joining one of the most recognised advertising brands in the world. I believe M&C Saatchi has a unique growth opportunity, capitalising on its combination of advertising and specialist marketing services, and its unrelenting focus on creative solutions built on client understanding, with an agile, global, integrated offer.”
M&C Saatchi Group is a global leader in the creative sector, connecting specialist expertise across data and technology to drive meaningful change for clients. With headquarters in London and operations in 23 countries, the group spans a wide array of disciplines, from data analytics and brand strategy to multi-channel creative communications. Its divisions include Connected Creativity, Passion Marketing, Global & Social Issues, Brand, Experience & Innovation, and Performance Media, offering a holistic approach to digital advertising and customer engagement.
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