Berrigan and Gardner depart Saatchi’s NZ
CB exclusive– Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand’s purge of its senior ranks continues with thedeparture of managing director Sonya Berrigan yesterday afternoon, after just over a year in the role. Berrigan had been with Saatchi’s since 2003.
Already flagged by CB,Tony Gardner (below), general manager of Saatchi & Saatchi DGS, also leftyesterday, but CB understands he will continue to consult on someagency projects for a period of time. Gardner is the last of the DGSpartners to depart the agency.
Only on Monday, Berrigan told CB there was no truth in the rumour shewas being retrenched, so she was either putting on a brave face or wasunaware what was about to unfold.
Berrigan joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 2003 as a group account directorto head up the NZ arm of the Trans-Tasman Westpac account, charged withdriving the NZ business whilst ensuring Trans-Tasman efficiencies andalignment, reporting to both the CEO in Auckland and the GM in Sydney.
Priorto 2003, she was group account director at Whybin TBWA where she wasresponsible for repositioning ASB Bank to the bank that’s ‘one stepahead’ and was a key driver of the highly successful Goldstein campaign.
Tony Gardner, GM Saatchi DGS, has since confirmed to CB he is leaving Saatchi’s.
Gardnerrejoined Saatchi’s in March 2008 after six years away working inadvertising and digital roles in Australia, Asia and Europe. He, AaronDustin and Matt Shirtcliffe set up Saatchi DGS, Saatchi’s Digital andDirect offering. Gardner led the digital effort.
“I’ve beenlucky enough to work at Saatchi’s twice now, first for seven years inthe 90’s in Wellington, learning from the likes of James Hall, KimThorp, Kate Smith and Geoff Ross. And this time to draw on myadvertising and digital experience, and past Saatchi learings, to builda genuine digital capability in the agency,” says Gardner. “I’mdelighted by what the team achieved, particularly Admedia Agency of theYear in 2009.”
As well as GM at Saatchi DGS, Gardner is theChair of the CAANZ Digital leadership Group and on the CAANZ Board.Gardner will work through June with Saatchis on several key projects.
4 Comments
Oh my GAD! Is that Elle’s other sister?
Pretty much. And she’s darned good at her job too. I never worked with her as GM / MD but she was a top-notch Account Director / Group Acc Director.
Ok, so she’s Saatchi’s MD, great at her job and all, but all we can comment on is how hot she is. Ah… thanks fella’s… one up for the intelligence of the male species.
No no no no, don’t thank me, seriously… one up for all of us sentient males. You’re really doing the whole bunch a favour.
@12:46
Unless there have been some deletions on this thread, you’re actually the only one saying she’s ‘hot’. As far as I can tell, 8:33 is simply pointing out an uncanny physical similarity. ‘That’s all.’ (As Miranda Priestley would say.) So what’s your problem? Not quite enough glowing, gender-neutral praise and caring comments here for your liking? Hey, build a bridge and get over it.