Shanghai - Michael Lee has been promoted to CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Greater China, CEO Worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi Kevin Roberts announced today.
Michael, currently President and COO for Greater China, has over 20 years agency experience, most of it in China. He has played a key role in growing Saatchi & Saatchi with a range of new business wins and most recently being awarded ‘Creative Agency of the Year' by China Advertising Magazine and R3.
In awarding Saatchi & Saatchi China as Creative Agency of the Year in March this year, the C-R3 report noted "Saatchi's has done a strong job moving from a Guangzhou-centric agency to a truly national one in five years - the future is bright".
Saatchi & Saatchi China won the only film Lion awarded to China at the 2013 Cannes Festival of Creativity last week and one of only two film Lions awarded across all Asia.
"It is an honour to lead Saatchi & Saatchi in China," Michael said. "To be Agency of the Year in China is fantastic, now our sights are set on consistently delivering world-class creativity and results for our partners in China."
In this role Michael will lead the Saatchi & Saatchi offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou with a stellar client roster including P&G, Mondelēz, Coca-Cola, Huawei, Lenovo and Lexus. Michael, who is based in Shanghai, will report to Chris Foster, Chairman and CEO for Asia-Pacific, based in Singapore.
Current CEO and Chairman of Greater China Justin Billingsley will become Chief Operating Officer for Saatchi & Saatchi across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and will relocate to London in August to take up the role. Justin will work in partnership with EMEA CEO Robert Senior to drive growth in this very challenging region.
"I'm proud that Saatchi & Saatchi in China has never been stronger than it is today and I am equally proud to be handing over to Michael. I have enjoyed our partnership and he is absolutely the right leader to continue the growth and creative momentum we enjoy," said Billingsley.
Kevin Roberts, Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Worldwide, commented "Michael is an exceptional creative leader, and China will go from strength to strength under his leadership. Together Michael and Chris will collaborate to drive growth and creativity across Asia."
The reunification of Saatchi & Saatchi Asia Pacific with Saatchi & Saatchi's four offices in Greater China will lead to greater integration and synergy with global clients across the region.
"The region has 60 percent of the world's population, many strong as well as emergent economies, and people who are optimistic about progress and energized by opportunities," says Foster. "Michael Lee's appointment is not only pivotal for Saatchi & Saatchi in China, but also influential for the ways in which our region evolves creatively and commercially."
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