M&C Saatchi appoints Tanya Vragalis to MD post

Tanya Vragalis has returned to M&C Saatchi to become managing director, seven years after she left the agency to join TBWA.

Vragalis led CommBank as group account director and group head at M&C from 2015 to 2017, before she moved to TBWA. In April, she left the Omnicom agency when it made the MD position redundant.

Rejoining M&C, Vragalis will become part of the executive leadership team, and be tasked with leading the agency's client delivery model with Woolworths' bespoke agency, Greenhouse Collective.

At the end of 2022, M&C elevated co-MD Michael McEwan to CEO, as Justin Graham moved into a bigger role. Sian Cook, who McEwan shared the role with, relocated to the UK.

“We've built a fantastic working model with the Woolworths Group that's currently evolving, and we're taking on the challenge of expanding our capabilities in digital and data-first brand experiences," Graham, the CEO of M&C Saatchi APAC, said.

"Tanya is an integral part of this plan. She brings a passion for innovation and a strategic mindset to the ever-evolving creative landscape."

Vragalis' category experience spans telco, tourism, financial services, and retail. She said it's an "exciting new era" for M&C Saatchi.

"There’s significant momentum and transformation in progress so it’s a great time to join," she added.

"I’m particularly excited to collaborate with Steve Coll, our clients and the talented team that form part of the Greenhouse Collective to help drive growth for the Woolworths Group.”

Coll joined as chief creative officer following Cam Blackley's exit. Former chief strategist Emily Taylor departed after Blackley, and the pair launched their own creative shop, Bureau of Everything.

In May, Mediaweek revealed Nick Jacobs had been promoted to CSO, three months after Taylor left the post. That same month, group CD Sharon Edmondston left amidst a creative restructure.

Scott Dettrick joined as national ECD in March.