M&C Saatchi launches new UK & European strategy

We are proud to announce the reorganisation of our UK operations into a single group providing a full-service, connected creativity proposition for the UK and Europe, in line with our focus on a more collaborative operating model across our network.

Marcus Peffers has been appointed UK Group CEO and will lead the new structure, overseeing both the Sport & Entertainment agency in the UK, and also to include a newly created UK Agency, combining together London Advertising, Export and Global & Social Issues businesses. The move creates a ‘supergroup’ - unlocking value for both staff and clients. This significantly enhanced proposition allows us to leverage group-wide excellence more seamlessly, leveraging an existing depth of senior leadership with our broader ambitions to drive regional strength.

To further accelerate the strong growth of the Group’s existing sport and entertainment offer in Europe, we have also created ‘M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Europe’. This new proposition brings together M&C Saatchi’s sport and entertainment capabilities across the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, with a focus on connected creativity to solve brand and marketing challenges. This will include a deliberate focus on executing targeted M&A opportunities to accelerate growth, build scale and add new capabilities.

We are delighted to announce that Carlo Noseda has been appointed as CEO of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Europe to lead the pan-European expansion plan. Carlo brings an unrivalled wealth of creative experience across sport and entertainment and takes on these responsibilities in addition to his leadership of the broader group across Europe and his role as President of M&C Saatchi Italy.

Carlo will be supported by Richard Thompson, who will become Non-Executive Chair of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Europe, extending his current role as Chair of M&C Saatchi UK, and bringing over 25 years’ experience within the sport and entertainment industry.

In line with his newly expanded UK remit, Marcus Peffers will lead the sport and entertainment activity in the UK, working closely with Carlo and Richard on pan-European opportunities.

Zillah Byng-Thorne, Executive Chair of M&C Saatchi, said: "Today’s announcement underscores our group focus on building an enhanced and more collaborative operating model across M&C Saatchi. It reflects our ambitions to accelerate our growth trajectory, adding significant scale in Europe, particularly within the exciting sport and entertainment space.

“I am delighted that Marcus will drive our plans forward in the UK, and the new, simplified structure will enable our clients to better benefit from our leading, full-service creative proposition. Our sport and entertainment business has evolved significantly over time and, as we look to accelerate the next stage of growth, I am delighted that Carlo will lead our ambitious European plan, supported by Richard and Marcus.

“Looking ahead, we see a real opportunity to scale our proposition and accelerate our sport and entertainment growth through M&A activity in Europe, and we are actively evaluating new opportunities.”

Marcus Peffers, UK Group CEO, M&C Saatchi, said: “The strength of our Group is in the many connected specialists offering deep and diverse expertise. Through a focus on creating a more collaborative operating model we will be better positioned than ever to provide our clients with leading creative solutions. I am excited to become UK Group CEO and look forward to delivering the next phase of our growth.”

Carlo Noseda, CEO, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Europe, said: “I am delighted to be appointed CEO of our sport and entertainment Europe offer. M&C Saatchi is known for its unique combination of expertise and creativity, and we have exciting plans as we take our sport and entertainment offer to the next level. Our clients increasingly want a single, pan-European platform which activates and forms completely around their needs. Today’s news represents a further step towards our group plan to do exactly that, ensuring each client has complete and immediate access to our full creative offering.”