Saatchis shifts regional base from Sydney to Singapore with appointment of new chairman Chris Foster
Chris Foster
Saatchi & Saatchi is shifting its regional base from Sydney to Singapore with Chris Foster, previously CEO of Fallon in Minneapolis, becoming Asia Pacific chairman and regional CEO. He replaced Ian Rowden who did the same role based at the Sydney office and is reported to be returning to the US.
In the announcement, Saatchi & Saatchi pointed towards Foster’s ability to produce “a highly succesful turnaround” of the fortunes of fallon Minneapolis.
Along with Australia and New Zealand, Foster’s region will include India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi, said: “Chris is an inspirational leader,” says Roberts. “His return to Asia Pacific is good news for clients and for our people. He is a world-class brand navigator with very successful US experience to add to his previous decade in Asia.”
The announcement made no reference to Rowden’s departure.
Before Fallon, Foster worked for Saatchi & Saatchi in Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong.
The axing of the Sydney office as the regional hub is the latest blow in a poor run for the Saatchi & Saatchi outpost. Earlier this year it emerged that the agency had tried and failed to buy the independent agency Three Drunk Monkeys in an attempt to reboot its commercial and business operations.
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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