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M&C Saatchi wins David Jones from Saatchi & Saatchi

M&C Saatchi has won creative duties for David Jones in what will be a major blow to incumbent Saatchi & Saatchi which held the account for 14 years.  

Along with Toyota, the account was one of Saatchi & Saatchi’s biggest pieces of business. The other agencies reported to be on the pitch were BMF and DDB.

The Sydney Morning Herald – which tipped the win this morning – points out the blow will be even worse because the account is moving to the rival agency set up by Charles and Maurice Saatchi when they were ousted from Saatchi & Saatchi.

Tom Dery, the Australia-based worldwide chairman of M&C Saatchi said: “David Jones is an iconic brand, synonymous with both style and substance and the agency is extremely excited to have this opportunity to propel this great brand forward.”

M&C’s other major clients include Qantas, Optus, Westfield, ANZ, Woolworths and Freedom Furniture.

Damian Eales, GM of financial services and marketing at David Jones, said that one of the factors in the decision was cost. In a statement he said:

M&C Saatchi was chosen as the successful tenderer on the basis of:

  • Its demonstrated ability to deliver large and complex advertising programs for similar clients;
  • The strength of their leadership team and creative capability; an
  • The cost efficiency they can bring to our business through the scale and sophistication of their operation,”

Eales added: “This decision is not due to any dissatisfaction with the pre-existing relationship or quality of work, it was just an opportunity for a fresh direction with a proven performer.”

Mumbrella understands that creative veteran Ted Horton will also continue to work on the David Jones business on a seperate basis.

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