M&C Saatchi Melbourne appoints ex-M&C Saatchi group head Kenny Hill to managing director role

This time last year, M&C Saatchi Melbourne was a shadow of its former self. Since then, the team has pulled off a run of new business, winning four from four pitches and has announced that after an international search Kenny Hill (left) will become their new managing director.

It is something of a homecoming for Hill, an M&C Saatchi group head before departing in late 2009.

David Whittle, M&C Saatchi Australia managing director said Hill is well suited to continue the “fantastic momentum” built over the last 12 months in Melbourne.

Says Whittle: “Kenny is a seasoned and proven operator with tremendous leadership capabilities. He has a passion for great ideas. We welcome Kenny back with open arms.”

Says Hill: “It’s such an great time to be back in the business. If you’d like to talk, I’m all ears.”

Under the leadership of managing director Jo Rozario and creative director Doogie Chapman, the string of new business kicked off last October, beating DDB in a pitch for leading accountancy body CPA Australia.

In February, Slater & Gordon appointed M&C Saatchi, following a three-way shoot-out against Campaign Palace and AJF for Australia’s largest law firm.

Soon after, it beat Naked and Venus to the driver’s seat for the launch of Opel, General Motors’ German car brand, into the Australian market.

Finally, M&C Saatchi Melbourne won the opportunity to give voice to the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Rozario, widely considered one of the best financial service operators in marketing services, did a brilliant stabilising and rebuilding the foundations following the loss of ANZ after 14 years in March 2011.

Early in 2012 she held a critical role in M&C Saatchi’s successful pitch for one of Australia’s largest accounts, Commonwealth Bank. Recently she relocated to Sydney to lead the giant Commonwealth Bank business and launch CAN and a move which opened up the Melbourne MD vacancy.