M&C Saatchi's Melbourne office will merge with Samuelson Talbot & Partners with Bob Talbot to become chief executive of the joint operations.
The new entity will be known as M&C Saatchi Melbourne. The merger will give M&C a boost in the Melbourne market, where it has struggled in recent years following the loss of ANZ in 2011. Recently, client Tennis Australia moved to CumminsRoss and auto client Opel announced its exit from the Australian market.
ST&P was established in 1978 and has worked across brands including Cussons, Imperial Leather, Colonial and Mayne.
ST&P's creative director Paul Taylor will be creative director. He has previously worked with M&C as its first creative director in 1995.
Current M&C Melbourne managing director Kenny Hill will remain in that capacity.
“ST&P is a highly-regarded, long-established agency run by two of the best and most experienced operators in Melbourne,” said M&C Saatchi Worldwide chairman Tom Dery. “It is a forward thinking business driven by a strong entrepreneurial ethos – one that fits very well with how we operate at M&C Saatchi.”
Talbot said: “What attracted us was the M&C Saatchi Worldwide model – a federation of entrepreneurial start-ups with owner managers rather than a multinational network of offices. This is totally aligned with how we view business.”
M&C Saatchi regional creative director Tom MacFarlane said: “It's gratifying to welcome Paul back to the M&C Saatchi fold and to get the chance to work with Bob, someone I've admired since my days in Melbourne.”
M&C Saatchi Australia chief executive Jaimes Leggett said: “This is a great move for us – the merger enables us to work with some incredibly talented people, great clients and to bring some real scale to our Melbourne operation.
M&C's clients include Slater & Gordon and CPA Australia.
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.
Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the writer at wenleima@yaffa.com.au
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.