M&C Saatchi merges with Samuelson Talbot; Bob Talbot and Paul Taylor to head Melbourne agency
M&C Saatchi’s Melbourne office will merge with Samuelson Talbot & Partners (ST&P) with esteemed Melbourne adman Bob Talbot as CEO and award-winning creative Paul Taylor as ECD of M&C Saatchi Melbourne.
Kenny Hill will remain as managing director. ST&P partner Catherine Graham will be director growth strategies.
Says Tom Dery, M&C Saatchi Worldwide chairman: “ST&P is a highly-regarded, long-established agency run by two of the best and most experienced operators in Melbourne. It is a forward thinking business driven by a very strong entrepreneurial ethos – one that fits very well with how we operate at M&C Saatchi.”
Talbot formed ST&P in Melbourne and Sydney in 1978. It went on to launch a number of famous Australian brands including Cussons, Imperial Leather, Colonial and Mayne.
The merger reunites Taylor (top right), ST&P’s creative director and partner with his former colleagues of more than 10 years. Taylor was M&C Saatchi’s first creative appointment following its launch in 1995.
After two years in Sydney Taylor shifted to M&C Saatchi Melbourne and for the next eight years was instrumental in the office enjoying a rich run of success, including Campaign Brief Creative Agency of the Year in 2001.
In all M&C Saatchi won 10 AdNews, B&T and Campaign Brief Agency of the Year titles and four Melbourne Art Directors’ Club ‘Best in Shows’ during Taylor’s tenure, which saw him rise to creative partner for Australasia & North America.
Says Tom McFarlane (top left), regional creative director: “It’s gratifying to welcome Paul back to the M&C Saatchi fold and to get the chance to work with Bob, someone I’ve admired since my days in Melbourne.”
Talbot called the merger an opportunity “to leverage a powerful brand name that we believe will create better opportunities for our clients and our people.”
Says Talbot: “What attracted us was the M&C Saatchi Worldwide model – a federation of entrepreneurial start ups with owner managers rather than a multinational network of offices. This is totally aligned with how we view business.”
Says Jaimes Leggett, M&C Saatchi Australia CEO: “This is a great move for us – the merger enables us to work with some incredibly talented people, great clients and to bring some real scale to our Melbourne operation.”
15 Comments
Exciting development. I hope it pays off big time.
That’s a seriously great move for M&C – the creative dream team back together, look out Melbourne
Just when I thought M&C Melbourne was on it’s last breathe…. Congrats Paul
The prodigal son comes back home. Some things never change.
Oh yeah, what’s the real story?
Be pleased Melbourne it’s good for this town’s industry.
For christ’s sake support each other.Good luck MandC.
Good news for Melbourne.It’s a tough town for all of us at the moment.
Be cheered that M&C are have chosen to invest and hopefully resurrect the agency.
That will mean jobs and opportunities for a new generation.
Let’s support each other.
Great to see the band back together. Good luck!
Good to see ya back, Tails.
I’d tap that.
Paul is not only one of the most talented creatives you’ll ever come across but surely the most pleasant.It’s win win for all concerned.Congrats.
Very smart move, I reckon not only will it save M&C Melbourne, it will produce a bloody great agency. Two talented and terrific blokes. Watch this space!
What exciting news the merging of two iconic advertising brands to place M&C back on the Melbourne map. The powerhouse talent of Paul Taylor , Catherine Graham and Bob Talbot merging together with the Tom- Toms again it couldn’t get any better.
The band is definitely back together. What a success it will be.
Local boy, you don’t honestly believe that when companies merge they create jobs.
Even if they win Myer they’ll take half the people from Badjar and get them to work twice as hard.
Good luck to them though, Paul’s a top creative.
I want to come back to M&C now. Great move.