Former Leo Burnett chief strategy officer, Emily Taylor, joins M&C Saatchi

Emily Taylor, the former chief strategy officer at Leo Burnett, has joined M&C Saatchi as CSO.

Taylor left Leo Burnett in April to join Colenso BBDO, however her time with the Auckland-based agency was cut short by her inability to enter New Zealand due to COVID-19 shutdowns.

Taylor’s appointment at M&C Saatchi follows its former CSO Justin Graham stepping up as CEO after the departure of Jaimes Leggett.

Group MD Russell Hopson, Taylor, and chief creative officer Cam Blackley

Taylor’s new role will see her partner with M&C’s group managing director, Russell Hopson, and chief creative officer, Cam Blackley.

Hopson said: “Emily is the perfect mix of contrasts, she is cerebral, fierce in her convictions, full of empathy, a brilliant generalist and master of many specialisations.”

Blackley added they ‘weren’t willing to settle for just anyone’ in the search for a CSO.

“Russell and I have been searching for the perfect Strategic partner with a passion for creativity for quite a while. We weren’t willing to settle for just anyone and I’m personally over the moon Emily is here to complete the puzzle and continue to improve and connect all our creative capabilities,” he said.

Taylor was at Leo Burnett for almost five years. Previously she was the planning director at Publicis Mojo and BMF and has also worked at AKQA and VCCP. Her role at M&C Saatchi will combine her experience across brand, CX, data, media and PR.

Taylor said of her appointment: “M&C Saatchi has always been a formidable force with enviable clients. I’ve long admired the ambition and entrepreneurial spirit evident in its growth and diversification. I couldn’t be more delighted to join at such a pivotal moment for the business, as part of a new leadership team and as the group mobilises the breadth of talent to deliver truly integrated, world class creative.”

M&C Saatchi’s clients include TAB, Woolworths, Commonwealth Bank and Tourism Australia.