Saatchi & Saatchi Australia finds new chief strategist to replace recently-departed Iona Macgregor
Publicis Groupe’s Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed a new chief strategist, replacing Iona Macgregor who departed at the start of the year.
Bringing over 30 years of experience from across the UK and Australia to the role, Rachel Walker joins to lead the agency’s national strategy and planning practice.
Most recently, she spent nearly 18 months as head of strategy at VMLY&R, having relocated from London for the role. Prior to that, her experience extends to executive global strategist at VCCP, and roles at WPP agency Grey London, Publicis London, as well as a stint as a freelancer.
Rachel Walker and Patrick Rowe
Patrick Rowe, CEO at Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, said: “Rachel will make a huge contribution to Saatchi & Saatchi.
“She has an incredible track record of working with mature brands, producing impactful campaigns that people love, and with a list of effectiveness awards that is nothing short of amazing. We’re so excited that she’s part of our team.”
She will be responsible for scaling and strengthening to agency’s strategic offering, working across a range of portfolios including Arnott’s and Vodafone.
Of her appointment, Walker said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the brilliant team at Saatchi & Saatchi Australia. It’s an iconic agency I’ve admired throughout my career, and I am delighted to finally have the opportunity to work with some of Australia’s best brands.”
She replaces Iona Macgregor, who departed Saatchi & Saatchi at the start of the year, after over five years in the chief strategist role. Macgregor had a six month stint as whiteGREY’s CSO, before taking on the same role at AKQA in June.
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Lauren McNamara is a journalist at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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topics
appointment
chief strategy officer
Iona Macgregor
Patrick Rowe
Rachel Walker
Saatchi & Saatchi
strategy
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