M&C Saatchi New Zealand has snared Nick Baylis and Oliver Maisey (below left) from FCB Auckland. Baylis will come in as CEO and Maisey as executive creative director, in the new year. Both will also have equity in M&C Saatchi. The move does not affect the role of current M&C Saatchi Auckland CD, Rob Jack (above left), who will report to Maisey. The latter will be working with Bailis to expand the business in both Auckland and Wellington (where M&C has a small office).
“It’s a huge coup for us. We are absolutely thrilled. Nick will further build our great team and his record of growing businesses speaks for itself," says Asia Pacific executive chairman Tom Dery.
“And to enhance our creative team with Oliver’s outstanding talent is fantastic. We wanted to find New Zealanders who didn’t just manage the agency, but who were part of the business."
Baylis said the opportunity to work for the Saatchi brothers was an opportunity too good to miss.
“M&C Saatchi is an exciting, youthful network that has an amazing brand," he said.
Baylis, who comes from a year-long stint at FCB, was a co-founder of Generator before selling it to Bates. He ran Generator Bates for three years. Before that, he worked at Saatchi & Saatchi and Colenso in New Zealand.
Before FCB, Aussie expat Maisey had been directing commercials after departing Generator, Auckland where he was CD.
Meanwhile, who will be replacing Baylis and Maisey at FCB is yet to be decided. The creative department already includes top people like James Mok, Murray Watt (probably the best contender to replace Maisey's role) and Matt Simpkins.