Steve Back departs Saatchi & Saatchi
Steve Back has quit as executive creative director at troubled Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, B&T reports.
His departure comes on the back of a bad year for the agency which has seen business include Lion Nathan, David Jones and some of its Toyota account depart.
Accoridng to B&T, Back is moving to Ogilvy Singapore.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large. He returned to Mumbrella as Publisher in January 2025
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Thank the heavens above. Perhaps Saatchi can now properly rehabilitate itself
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Pleased, I would suspect you’re one of the reasons the agency in such a bad way, just a guess! I think the only thing Back has been guilty of is (Edited by Mumbrella for legal reasons). Lion Nathan went cause of lack of high level relationships, not the work, David Jones ( which was handled by Team Saatchi) went because of a price fight out and M&C dropped there pants. (Edited by Mumbrella for legal reasons). Nobbys been trying to get in there since he left Saatchis it’s taken 3 years and they’ve pick up a Model, good luck and enjoy! (edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy), Nobby can have it. I suspect that to truely rehabilitae itself Saatchis need to keep people like Back and (edited by Mumbrella for legal reasons).
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What an extraordinary comment from “The Thorn”. Full of aggression, stupidity and childish insults.
Now who do we know that’s like that?
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Not Impressed guess “The Thorn” touched a nerve hey! my guess is there’s no aggression in it, just the truth and it hurts. Stupidity! maybe for pointing out the truth to the readers and not doing it sooner. Childish! ,oh yes love hiding behind trivial names making snide comments like “Not Impressed” and “Pleased”.
Now who do we know that’s like that? You!
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“The Thorn”. Yes, they were all relationship problems and Executive Creative Directors aren’t responsible for them either. Who are you kidding? ECDs are responsible for the agency, not just the creative output. Point is, Saatchi not only lost the business that was reported, it lost 19 pitches in a row. Creative pitches are decided on creativity. Hopefully the agency can now get smarter and finally start offering a service that clients want.
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And another thing? (edited by Mumbrella for legal reasons): creative agency of the year 3 times in a row and new business wins that ranged from major retail like Aussie and Foxtel to prized ones like Sony, Seek in addition to Lion Nathan. All those accounts (bar Sony) have left in the years since. Check your facts.
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Oh well, as long they have a scapegoat to hang it ALL on, I guess that’s the most important thing (Best not get sidetracked by the good things the creative department’s done there). I’d really hate for any accounts people to have to put their hand up to cop SOME of the blame. Or perhaps that’s what creatives are for – convenient people to pass the blame on to. Great to see the Tall Poppy Syndrome is still alive and well….
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Blah Blah Blah, time will tell hey, in the mean time enjoy x
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I thought I was reading Campaign Brief for a minute…
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as if he just decided to leave. the agency is tanking – if he decided to leave then he is not very loyal or bad leader. if they decided to move him on then the they tried to do it with style. end of the day he’s out and off to asia like a lot of former cds.
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Pleased do you need a hug
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What about (edited by Mumbrella for legal reasons)?
Think that had anything to do with clients walking?
Noticed it’s all been pretty hush* hush*
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For legal reasons I am now closing this comment thread.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella