Personally I have no problem whatsoever with business transformation organisations moving to attract creatively driven talent through either recruitment, or acquisition.
Firstly, because I believe in what the alchemy of creativity and technology can do in both business and society, and secondly, because I also believe in free market innovation, and that's in effect what they are doing; innovating their own offering. So caps off to them.
It’s for similar reasons the Publicis Groupe globally acquired the digital transformation consultancy Sapient Group way back in 2015, and why for some time now the likes of Publicis.Sapient, MercerBell (from a customer experience point of view) and its creative companies such as us at Saatchi & Saatchi collaborate to help transform our clients businesses and brands. I guess as a group we just come more from the human insight side of the spectrum.
In terms of business consultants now acting as marketing ‘pitch’ consultants, I’ve had some exposure to this, and again it’s something I have absolutely no problem with. As respected organisations, I know they are certainly acting with integrity, and with their clients’ best ambitions at heart. As long as the best solutions are fairly considered, with the right criteria, then I don't see what all of the fuss is about.
Having more creative thinkers, with the right information, advising the C-suites of Australia, is nothing but a good thing for everyone, no matter how that’s achieved or who it comes from.
In my humble opinion, that's what the economy and our society needs more of.
Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne managing director Mark Cochrane