M&C Saatchi's chief strategy officer Emily Taylor to depart

M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ chief strategy officer Emily Taylor is set to depart the agency this week after three and a half years. 

Taylor, who joined the agency from Colenso BBDO NZ at the height of the Covid lockdowns, has stepped down from the agency. 

She is the latest senior leadership departure from the agency and follows chief creative officer Cam Blackley's departure last year. Both Blackley and Taylor resigned from the role with no immediate plans. 

The departures follow a period of change across the M&C Saatchi Group globally. Last month, the group sold off its stakes in its Hong Kong and Sweden subsidiaries and last year, it consolidated its Singapore and Malaysia offices. The Asia Pacific changes followed the departure of Asia CEO Richard Morewood, with M&C's AUNZ chief executive Justin Graham stepping up into the broader Asia Pacific role. 

The regional changes are part of a global restructuring being led by M&C Saatchi board executive chair Zillah Byng-Thorne, who was appointed last year. The global group reported a 7% decline in global revenue and a $10.23 million drop in operating profit in the first half of 2023. 

Prior to her time at M&C Saatchi, Taylor worked for Publicis Groupe creative agencies Leo Burnett and Publicis Mojo; she also worked in the UK for digital powerhouse AKQA and iconic creative agency VCCP. 

Taylor said of her time at M&C Saatchi: "It's been a brilliant 3.5 years working with an epic bunch to build some of Australia's best brands with our amazing clients. But it is time for a little break. So I've decided to say goodbye to M&C and hello to a bit of R&R. A big thank you to Justin Graham, my fellow Exec, my marvellous strat team and the rest of the M&C legends for making it so much fun. I will pop my head up after a breather and when I have news on my next adventure."

See also: M&C Saatchi welcomes Steve Coll as group chief creative officer AUNZ