M&C Saatchi has a new regional creative director for Asia

Hiring news in Hong Kong, — via Brand Republic — where former Y&R Regional ECD Rowan Chanen has become the new regional ECD at  M&C Saatchi in Asia.

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The deal reunites Chanen with Regional CEO Chris Jaques and Managing Partner Robert Campbell. Chanen, Jaques and Campbell all three previously worked at Y&R.

Chanen, now based in Hong Kong, said he was looking forward to working at an independent agency. “BBH and Wieden + Kennedy have done some of the best and most meaningful work for iconic brands. As a big fan of both those agency brands, I think they have set the standard we all need to aim for.”

The appointment follows a difficult time for M&C, which announced layoffs in Hong Kong this year as Jaques sought to introduce a “high-growth, high-margin” strategy. “It’s been a tough year-and-a-half, but we’ve done the hard part,” said Jaques. “We’re now profitable everywhere and we’re growing. But our work simply isn’t good enough. We need more big ideas that transform business. That’s Rowan’s job.”

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Sounds like Rowan has a big task ahead of him. But after recently interviewing him for ihaveanidea’s Creatives section (an interview that will be posted very soon) I think he’s up for the challenge.