Ian Christie Appointed CEO Of Saatchi & Saatchi NZ

28 June 2002

Ian Christie Appointed CEO Of Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand

Ian Christie has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi following the retirement of Kim Wicksteed. Mr Christie is currently Managing Director of Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland. He has been with the agency for ten years as a client service director.

Kim Wicksteed is retiring after 25 years in the advertising business. He has been a central member of the Wellington agency team that in April 2002 was named as one of the top ten advertising agencies in the world by the international Graphis magazine.

"I've been planning to retire for some time, even before James Hall left,” said Kim Wicksteed. “My colleagues have known for months that end of 2002 was my target date. Ian's appointment means that I am able to meet that date.

“Saatchi & Saatchi is an inspirational company to work with and to lead. The agency continues to produce the best creative advertising work in New Zealand. I’m proud of the people, the clients and the work.”

Ian Christie said the 2002 Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand story was truly one of local/global.

“We have just won the top award in New Zealand for the best advertising work, the Grande AXIS, for the 6th year in a row. Last week at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, we picked up 3 Cannes Lions, which contributed to the worldwide network winning the title of the “best in the world” for a diverse, provocative and highly effective portfolio of work. We aggregated 130 points, the next global network got 61.”

James Hall, previously CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand, now heads the London agency, which won “Agency of the Year” at the Cannes awards.

“There are New Zealanders based here who are working intensively on global projects. The website we have produced for Adidas International for the World Soccer Cup has just reached two million visitors. There are New Zealanders scattered throughout the global network working on local projects. Altogether, it has been a brilliant month for Saatchi & Saatchi here and around the world.”

Mr Christie said that he and Mr Wicksteed will work together through an extended transition period and he would expect Mr Wicksteed to conclude his employment with Saatchi & Saatchi by Christmas.

Ends

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