Saatchi & Saatchi boss Bartley moves on to new venture
The departed CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney today told Mumbrella: I’ll be back.
Simone Bartley, who left the agency yesterday, said: “Thirteen years at one agency is a long time, eight of them as a CEO, both here and Singapore.
“It’s been three-and-a-half years since I’ve been back and I’ve got another opportunity within the industry, which I’m very excited about.” She said she was unable to discuss that role, or how long any non-compete period would be.
But she denied that the persistent industry rumours of tension between her and executive creative director Steve Back played any part in her departure. She said: “I wish him well and I’m sure he’d say the same thing about me.”
She said that the highlights of working with Saatchi & Saatchi had included five years spent on NRMA’s H.E.L.P. campaign, along with working with brands such as Toohey’s New and Aussie Home Loans (which Saatchi & Saatchi lost at the end of last year) .
Bartley will be replaced by John Foley, who is currently with the network in Singapore and Malaysia. She said: “He’s a great guy, with excellent car experience which will be good for Toyota and Lexus.”
Saatchi & Saatchi’s spokesman was not returning calls at the time of posting.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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