AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND — M&C Saatchi Group ANZ has announced the promotion of Emma Robbins to Group Chief Creative Officer (CCO), following the resignation of Steve Coll, who departs after two years with the agency.
Emma, who recently served as CCO for M&C Saatchi Melbourne, has been integral to the agency’s national creative leadership. Over her seven years as Executive Creative Director, she has spearheaded multi-award-winning campaigns including Commonwealth Bank’s “Doubt Never Did,” Minderoo Foundation’s Plastic Forecast, anti-vaping initiative “We Are The Warning,” Lifeblood, and ART Super.
In her expanded role, Emma will lead the group’s creative output under its Cultural Power proposition, shaping the agency’s creative vision and collaborating closely with the Executive Leadership Team to produce distinctive and disruptive work. She will report to CEO Dani Bassil.
“The industry is shapeshifting in every which way, which is what makes this such an exciting time to step into the role. There are challenges and opportunities everywhere, and we’re all totally up for it,” said Emma Robbins, Group CCO, M&C Saatchi Group ANZ. “We’ve got the leadership, talent, and energy to meet them head-on and keep creating work for our clients that’s powerful in culture and full of meaning and creativity.”
Dani Bassil, CEO, M&C Saatchi Group ANZ, added, “Emma is one of a kind. I’ve been blown away by just how incredible and talented she is. She is adored by the creative community and clients alike. I just cannot think of anyone better to lead this agency into the future, and I’m delighted she agreed to step into the role. I also want to thank Steve for everything he’s achieved and wish him well in what he does next.”
Steve Coll, who joined the agency after four years at Meta, shared his gratitude and optimism for the future:
“I am proud to have brought in a wonderful mix of senior creatives and brilliant young talent into a newly restructured and integrated team. Seeing the Woolworths Olympics campaign receive multiple nominations for Campaign of the Year, and be awarded TikTok’s Campaign of the Year, was a first for the brand and a particular highlight. Now, with the agency increasingly set up to produce more integrated and culturally powerful work, it felt like a good time to move onto a fresh challenge.”
Before joining M&C Saatchi, Emma spent four years as Managing Partner and Creative Director at The Shannon Company and over a decade at Clemenger BBDO. She has judged at global shows including Cannes Lions, One Show, Clio, and New York Festivals, and mentors through the 2025 Creative LIAisons and M&C Open House programs. Last year, she was named B&T’s Creative Woman of the Year.
