SYDNEY – Following a global search, M&C Saatchi Australia has appointed Andy DiLallo to the newly-created role of Chief Creative Officer.
DiLallo is one of Australia’s most celebrated Creative Directors. After arriving in Australia only 11 years ago, his volume of awarded work can only be described as extraordinary. He was ranked fifth on Big Won rankings of the world’s ‘Top Chief Creative Officers.’
He has received more than a thousand local and international awards including 51 Cannes Lions, 6 international Grand Prix, 20 One Show Pencils, and more than a hundred AWARD Pencils. DiLallo has also been accepted to the CLIO Hall of Fame.
He was with Leo Burnett Sydney as Chief Creative Officer for 8 years. He also worked briefly as Executive Creative Director for J. Walter Thompson Sydney for 1 year and 5 years as Creative Director for Saatchi & Saatchi.
His work on WWF Earth Hour resulted in the largest mass-participation event in history, recognized by United Nations.
“Andy is world class. His creative record speaks for itself. With the talent we have in the agency and the clients on our roster, I have no doubt that Andy will take the work to another level,” said Jaimes Legget, M&C Saatchi CEO.
The appointment will enable Tom McFarlane, who remains as M&C Saatchi Regional Creative Director, to focus on key business within the agency’s global network which has undergone significant recent growth.
“After searching locally and internationally for over 12 months, Andy remained our target,” said McFarlane. “His creative credentials, leadership experience and global perspective made him the perfect candidate for the job.”
“With CEO Jaimes Leggett now well and truly settled in and doing a remarkable job, along with Chief Strategy Officer Justin Graham, now is the perfect time to step up a gear creatively. Together Andy, Jaimes and Justin will be a powerful partnership, and nobody knows better than me the value of a strong agency partnership – having been privileged to work side-by-side with Tom Dery for over 20 years building M&C Saatchi into one of the most successful agencies in Australia,” he added.
Ben Welsh will continue as Executive Creative Director across the expanding M&C Saatchi Group in Sydney while Paul Taylor will continue as ECD of the growing Melbourne office.
“I believe the only thing to fear is complacency. Change is something to embrace. The time has come for me to change direction, but not course. M&C Saatchi is one of the great Australian advertising brands, hugely respected among both clients and peers. I’m ready to help Jaimes and Justin lead M&C Saatchi as they continue to grow and shape Australia’s biggest brands,” commented DiLallo on the appointment.
“Our industry has never been more progressive and M&C Saatchi is perfectly positioned to help lead the way,” he added.
