Sharon Edmondston exits M&C Saatchi amidst creative restructure

Sharon Edmondston, group creative director at M&C Saatchi Sydney, has left the agency as part of a restructuring of the creative department.

Edmondston has been with the agency for nearly nine years, initially joining in 2015 as creative director before being promoted to GCD in February 2023.

Her departure follows the exit of chief strategy officer Emily Taylor in February, who left after three and a half years. Chief creative officer Cam Blackley departed in October last year, subsequently replaced by Steve Coll. Both Blackley and Taylor resigned from their roles with no immediate plans. 

Edmondston is joint head of AWARD School's 2024 NSW and national sessions, alongside M&C Saatchi's joint national ECD Scott Dettrick, who joined in March from his role as creative director at The Monkeys. Edmondston also held the position of co-chair of M&C’s Employee Led Women’s Network.

In response to Edmondston's departure, an M&C Saatchi spokesperson said to Mediaweek: "As M&C Saatchi embraces the optimum creative structure for our clients’ needs and evolving capabilities, the necessary yet difficult decision has been made to reshape select roles.

"We are sad to part ways with colleagues that have played significant roles in delivering exceptional campaigns for our valued clients; for which we would like to say a heartfelt thank you. Small changes to our creative structure are required to channel our big ambition and purposefully continue M&C Saatchi Group on its trajectory of success."

Earlier this year, M&C Saatchi group sold off its stakes in its Hong Kong and Sweden subsidiaries. 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. 

M&C Saatchi is soon to lose one of its key clients, Tourism Australia. The account is up for pitch, with the incumbent failing to make the shortlist.

See also: M&C Saatchi’s chief strategy officer Emily Taylor to depart

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Top Image: Sharon Edmondston