Saatchi & Saatchi elevates Simon Bagnasco to national head of creativity, replacing CCO role
Publicis Groupe creative agency Saatchi & Saatchi Australia has appointed Simon Bagnasco to the newly created role of head of creativity in a promotion from his previous remit as executive creative director of the Melbourne office.
In his new role, Bagnasco will be responsible for Saatchi & Saatchi’s national creative output, encompassing both the Melbourne and Sydney offices. Mumbrella understands this role has been created to replace the recently vacated chief creative officer role, after Mike Spirkovski departed in April to take on a broader role with parent company Publicis Groupe, consulting on a new sustainability project.
(L-R) Simon Bagnasco, Iona Macgregor & Anthony Gregorio.
Tasked with the pursuit of creative excellence for all clients, Bagnasco’s new role will also see him collaborating with the wider capabilities of the Publicis Groupe.
Bagnasco first joined the agency five years ago as executive creative director of the Melbourne office, through which he oversaw the creation of a number of highly awarded campaigns, including Donation Dollar and Made from Melbourne. He also built upon almost four decades of work for the Toyota brand by Saatchi & Saatchi Australia. In 2021, Bagnasco was named the Number 1 ECD in APAC by the One Club creative rankings.
Prior to joining Saatchi & Saatchi, Bagnasco spent two years as ECD for BWM dentsu, now BWM Isobar, and has also held senior creative roles at DDB Melbourne and Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.
Anthony Gregorio, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, said: “Simon has earned the opportunity to take the mantle of running the creative department of Saatchi & Saatchi. His role as head of creativity is acknowledgment of how the business has evolved and the requirement to deliver ideas that grow brands across a spectrum of channels and platforms. I know he has the talent and ambition to drive the creative success of the Saatchi & Saatchi brand in Australia.”
Iona Macgregor, chief strategy officer of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, said: “Simon’s energy and creative ambition are infectious. It’s awesome to have a partner who is so committed to work that both delights and makes an impact.”
Bagnasco added: “I’m humbled and honoured for the opportunity to lead Saatchi & Saatchi Australia. It’s a brand with a huge legacy, which has fostered great creative thinking and great creative talent for over 40 years.”
The new appointment comes after former Saatchi & Saatchi Australia chief creative officer Mike Spirkovski departed the agency in April to take on a broader role with parent company Publicis Groupe, consulting on a new sustainability project.
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