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Strategy shake-up sees M&C Saatchi take Justin Graham, with Droga5 landing Jon Bradshaw

jon bradshaw

Bradshaw

Justin Graham long

Graham

Droga5 has picked up respected marketer John Bradshaw as chief strategy officer with current strategy head Justin Graham moving to rival agency M&C Saatchi in a newly-created role.

Bradshaw, who split with Lion last October after two years will join Droga5 in the new year as his first ever agency-side job, and replaces Graham who will move to M&C for a newly created role in the agency of chief strategy officer.

Graham, the vice-chairman of the Australian Planning Group and one of the most respected planners in Australia, will spearhead the strategy function across the ten businesses associated with M&C Saatchi.

CEO Jaimes Leggett said: “Justin is a world class strategist who will help drive the M&C Saatchi Group forward. His expertise and experience are a perfect fit for our integrated offering.”

Bradshaw, who won a Gold Lion at Cannes with Droga5 when he was chief marketing officer at Virgin Mobile, is the first big appointment since Droga5 cemented a global deal with William Morris Endeavour earlier this year. He said in a statement:  “People ask why a client would want to join an agency? For me it’s easy when that agency is Droga5.

“It’s an opportunity to be part of a business that’s helping shape the future of marketing and advertising and changing the conversation with the client.“

Graham has been with Droga5 since 2010, moving from the global planning director at BBDO New York for Proctor and Gamble and Diageo brands, and was made chief strategy officer last October.

He said: “The M&C Saatchi ethos of Brutal Simplicity of Thought is more relevant now than ever. The power of the M&C Saatchi Group lies in its power to deliver cut-through communications at every level, from big campaigns to the nimblest of executions.

“There’s a real climate of collaboration between all the specialist businesses.”

M&C Saatchi has been looking to build its offering after losing the David Jones business in September, and has made a string of new hires including Marc van den Berg as group operations director and Tiphereth Gloria as head of social media.

Graham was a finalist in Mumbrella’s Thinker of the Year category this year and was the only ad executive listed in Boss Magazine’s Young Executives of the Year list.

Droga5 CEO Sudeep Gohil said  of Bradshaw’s appointment: “He has been an inspiring leader and has remarkable track record of success in Australia and overseas. As the conversations we have with clients continue to develop at the most senior executive levels Jon’s experience will be an incredible asset.”

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