Former Clemenger CEO Dani Bassil named CEO of M+C Saatchi Group AUNZ as Justin Graham, CEO, M+C Saatchi Group APAC prepares to step down

M+C Saatchi Group has announced the appointment of Dani Bassil as CEO, M+C Saatchi Group AUNZ, effective August 2025. This newly created role is responsible for the Australia & New Zealand businesses in advertising, consulting, and Passions & PR entities, including Sport & Entertainment.

Bassil brings a wealth of experience across a wide variety of marketing, advertising and digital capabilities. Most recently she was CEO of Clemenger BBDO Australia joining in late 2022 after 20 years in the UK. Previous roles include CEO of Digitas UK at Publicis, Managing Partner at JWT UK at WPP, and leadership roles in operations, and account management at Grey, W+K, VCCP and Mother. She started her career at Ogilvy Sydney.

Bassil’s appointment follows the recent departure of Michael McEwan, who has taken up the role of CEO at Droga5 Melbourne.

Says Zaid Al-Qassab, Global CEO, M&C Saatchi Group: “Iʼm excited to welcome Dani to the helm of our Australia and New Zealand businesses. Her broad leadership experience and client centric approach will power the agency forward, and her vast digital expertise is whatʼs most needed in the next phase of our journey to give brands Cultural Power. Iʼm excited to see what magic she can make.”

Says Bassil: “Iʼve admired the M+C Saatchi brand for as long as I can remember. To be able to bring all of my experience in brand, consulting, media and digital together to lead this group of incredible businesses is so exciting for me. How we drive value and growth for clients through strategic thinking and cut through with powerful creative and brand ideas is what I get out of bed for, and thereʼs no better agency brand than M+C Saatchi to partner with clients to achieve this. I canʼt wait to get started.”

The leadership team of Steve Coll, Tanya Vragalis, Jenn Butler, Benjamin Harrison and Jen Hegarty will report to Bassil.

Justin Graham will step down from his role as CEO of M+C Saatchi Group APAC later this year. As part of a broader realignment, the Asia business will transition to being led from the Singapore HQ. Graham will remain in his Sydney-based role until then to help guide the handover and support Bassil as she steps into the CEO AUNZ role.

Joining the agency from Droga5 in 2013, Grahamʼs 12 years at M+C Saatchi have included six years as group CSO Australia, before being promoted to the role of CEO ANZ in 2020. Following an impressive period of growth and creative recognition for the business, Graham was promoted to the global advertising lead role in 2022, before assuming his most recent role as APAC regional CEO.

Says Graham: “It has been a privilege to lead the exceptional M+C Saatchi teams locally and around the network over my time; as a self-professed life learner, it’s been a ride.

“Iʼm grateful to Zaid and all the brilliant people I have been fortunate to partner with over the years; my immediate focus is to set up Australia and the key markets in the region for ongoing success.”

Graham is one of the most respected strategic agency leaders in the country, previously recognised as an AFR Boss Young Executive of the Year.

Under his leadership, the M+C Saatchi business has been awarded numerous honours, including AFRʼs Most Innovative Marketing & Media Company, multiple Effies in Australia and the US, and more recently, No.1 Independent Creative Network in the region.

Says Al-Qassab: “Justin has played a critical role at M+C Saatchi, first as a chief strategist, then successful CEO, and most recently leading our APAC region.

“When I joined the business in May last year, I spent my very first day in our Sydney office to see first-hand the work of the most awarded region in our network. Justin has been a brilliant partner, and whilst I will miss working with him, I am grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.

“At M+C Saatchi Group, we are committed to our leaders and long-term succession planning. As such, over the last few months, Justin and I have been working closely to identify the best leadership succession for key markets in the APAC region, and in particular our Australian and New Zealand businesses.”

Graham will continue in his director roles for both the Advertising Council (ACA) and social impact organisation, Unltd.

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