Last year, M&C Saatchi bought the digital agency Lean Mean Fighting Machine for an estimated £10 million as part of an ongoing effort to help establish itself in London. It would appear, however, that the move was actually part of a larger restructuring plan, which has led to the recently announced departure of executive creative director Elspeth Lynn, after the role itself was scrapped. This follows news from October last year that LMFM's Tom Bazeley had taken over from Camilla Harrison as CEO, with Harrison finding a new home at Anomaly's London office. Lynn, who succeeded Graham Fink when he decamped to be CCO of Ogilvy in China will be replaced by the creative quartet of Mark Goodwin, Jason Lawes, Sam Ball and Dave Bedwood, two of whom co-founded LMFM and came over to M&C in Bazeley's wake. Grant Parker will remain head of art.
Elspeth Lynn has left M&C Saatchi London as ECD after the role itself was scrapped
Elspeth Lynn
According to Bazeley, the reason for the reshuffle at the top is because he feels that “In a communications world where ideas can come in many shapes and sizes,” he wants “The person making the ultimate creative decisions to be deeply involved in the account.” He also adds that they will also “Need the time and space to understand the business challenges, provide inspiration, write ideas, encourage innovation, nurture people and deliver smart, brilliant and newsworthy ideas,” a challenge he feels is beyond just “One person working at a very high level.” The four creative directors will be overseeing specific client businesses in an effort to nurture a more hands-on approach to business at the agency.
Lynn will be replaced by Mark Goodwin, Jason Lawes, Sam Ball and Dave Bedwood
Tom Bazeley and Lisa Thomas
M&C Saatchi London CEO Lisa Thomas, said that whilst Lynn has “Overseen some fantastic work,” the result of the restructure meant that they both “Agreed that it was time for her to leave the agency.” Thomas makes a note to thank the departing ECD for her “Obvious passion and dedication to the agency, and its clients,” and for helping them to modernise the agency, which has had a rough year in London. Thomas adds that Lynn is a “Unique individual who will be greatly missed.” Where Lynn goes from here is anyone's guess, though whilst the official word might be completely amicable, her departure might have something to do with cost saving after a difficult 12 months. Indeed, last year M&C not only lost the Dixons account to AMV BBDO and Direct Line to Saatchi & Saatchi, but dropped out of the top ten by billings for the first time in decades, down to 15 on £131 million. It did manage to pocket a sizeable amount however, when it sold 75% of Walker Media to the Publicis Groupe.
Spotify has dropped M&C Saatchi PR as its longtime PR agency
In related news, it was also announced yesterday that Spotify has dropped M&C Saatchi PR, and is now seeking a new consumer PR agency in the UK. The agency was appointed to manage Spotify's consumer account in April 2012, following the arrival of CJ Stanley from Everything Everywhere as head of consumer PR. In the same year, the agency was also handed the music streaming service's corporate and b2b business. Chris Hides, M&C Saatchi PR's managing director, said they had “Three fantastic years taking Spotify from a small, challenger brand into a mainstream music platform.” He added that they work they developed was “Used around the world to build the Spotify business” and he's proud of the part they have played in “Establishing the brand in so many different markets.” The move appears to be a dramatic one on the part of the company to improve its image with artists and fans, following a much publicised row with pop's current golden girl Taylor Swift, late last year.
