David Jones heading for M&C Saatchi
CB Exclusive – Campaign Brief can reveal that the David Jones account is heading to M&C Saatchi, Sydney, after a two way shootout with 13 year incumbent, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sydney. An official announcement is expected later today although the move was confirmed to CB by a top exec from each agency overnight.
The review started back in February, with a long list that included BMF and DDB.
It will be a massive blow to Team Saatchi, Saatchi’s specialist division dedicated to the DJs business, and major redundancies are expected.
CONFIRMATION: THE OFFICIAL RELEASE: M&C Saatchi has been appointed by David Jones to handle its advertising account following a competitive pitch.
M&C Saatchi worldwide chairman Tom Dery was “thrilled” with the prospect of working with the prestigious Australian retailer: “David Jones is an iconic brand, synonymous with both style and substance and the agency is extremely excited to have this opportunity to propel this great brand forward,” Mr Dery said.
The appointment adds to M&C Saatchi’s impressive roster of bluechip clients that includes Qantas, Optus, Westfield, ANZ, Woolworthsand Freedom Furniture.
David Jones Group general manager of financial services and marketingDamian Eales said “M&C Saatchi was chosen as the successfultenderer on the basis of:
Its demonstrated ability to deliver large and complex advertising programs for similar clients;
The strength of their leadership team and creative capability; and
The cost efficiency they can bring to our business through the scale and sophistication of their operation,”
The agency brings an enormous degree of experience, creative and strategic smarts to the table.”
M&C Saatchi beat Incumbent Saatchi & Saatchi to the business.
Saatchi & Saatchi had held the David Jones creative account for 14years and the decision to end that relationship was not taken lightly,Mr Eales said.
“This decision is not due to any dissatisfaction with the pre-existingrelationship or quality of work, it was just an opportunity for a freshdirection with a proven performer.”
M&C Saatchi regional creative director Asia Pacific Tom McFarlanewas excited with the creative challenge of “taking an already iconicbrand and finding ways of making it even more iconic”.
“Our mantra has always been to take a brand approach to the myriad ofcreative opportunities we have with our retail clients,” Mr McFarlanesaid.
“Producing compelling, innovative and integrated creative solutionsthat stand the test of time for our retail clients is part of our DNA.”
44 Comments
Really hurts S&S and more specifically Team. Hope it doesn’t kill them.
Good luck drinking from the poisoned chalice, M&C.
What, after 13 years of solid effective work? ….
I smell a dirty big political rat!
Is dat you Hendo?
“This decision is not due to any dissatisfaction with the pre-existing relationship or quality of work, it was just an opportunity for a fresh direction with a proven performer.”
No it wasn’t, it was about cost cutting you bunch of tight asses.
“The cost efficiency they can bring to our business through the scale and sophistication of their operation,”
In other words “our procurement department got the fees they demanded”
There’s no other store like David Jones…
Except Myer, which is really similar, and black and white too.
Everything wrong with our business. Squeezing the life out of agencies……good luck to bad rubbish
M&C Boom!
There’s no other store like David Jones!!!
Where’s Ted?
I wonder if Ogilvy are worried that they’re close to losing the “Supermarket of Advertising” title.
Thanks McInness.
>Tom McFarlane was excited with the creative challenge of “taking an already iconic
>brand and finding ways of making it even more iconic”.
One wonders how you would measure something like that?
Well done Komed and co. The tills are ringing at M&C, and they’re still managing to do amazing, award winning work for……
I wouldn’t say “the tills are ringing” – not on that deal!
M&C Snatchi
As someone who got their first break in the tight-knit group of Team Saatchi working on DJs, I wish them all well. They’re a great bunch of people who have given everything to that account for 14 years. Good luck guys.
This is bad news for advertising and everyone who supplies to the biz.
Agreed, Matt. Some legends came out of that place.
it’s DJ rific
Yep agreed 12.58 and some were better off staying there.
There’s no other snore like
Didn’t Ted do it anyway?
How does that affect the Ted Horton relationship with DJ? Does anyone know?
M&C just won ING a few minutes ago.
Sad for the Saatchi staff. Good on ya. Don’t sweat it. Swings etc…
Lets hope the photographic industry is ready to drop it’s rates again
good onya team s… you did some terrific work and should be proud.
3:50
He’s not Effected
Australian photographers: this is your chance to say no to bullshit budgets….
Any photographer shooting DJ’s at these rates can take full responsibility for killing an industry!!
Wise up!!!!
They’ve under sold you……… Do your/this industry a favour and don’t line up for this once prestigious client……
But he is very effective 9.14.
well done M&C – would have loved to be at the bar on that night!
9.14pm
Most of the time affect with an a is a verb and effect with an e is a noun.
” Ouch”
How are Saatchi’s going to pay the photographers back for all the favours they’ve asked now?
Meantime: What’s happened to DJ’s CEO?
That’ll free Ted up to take on more of the Coles business and rest it out of DDB. If he hasn’t already.
10.27 and 9.14.
The way you effect it tends to affect it.
Wrest it… Not rest it.
Lift people- you supposedly work in a comms business, you should know this stuff.
We must be the biggest industry of haters this side of Hollywood.
We are the biggest industry of haters. It’s the only way to get ahead.
Ted has already wrested all the creative for Coles out of DDB. But will he have more time now, or will M&C be ‘instructed’ to take him on as well? The tills are ringing at Ted’s place!
Yes 9.17, slip of the old typing finger and brain. Sorry if it insulted your literary sensibilities.
First broke on CB?
Wasn’t it in the Paper the day before?
No, it wasn’t.