Geneva - Saatchi & Saatchi EMEA announced today that Michael Samak has been appointed to the regional position of CEO Switzerland & Germany.
Samak joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 1997 and has since held the positions including Managing Director, Member of the Board of Directors until his appointment as CEO Saatchi & Saatchi Germany in 2008.
Under Samak’s leadership, Saatchi & Saatchi Germany has won new business including Toyota, Scout24, Volvo, Vivesco, World of Warcraft and Senseo, successfully launched a new Dusseldorf Agency, established “NuSoul” as a centre of co-creation, and ranked in Manager Magazin’s top 5 for digital.
Samak said on his new role: "Together with the management team I look forward to continuing our reinvention as Lovemarks Company to create Loyalty Beyond Reason for our clients, consumers and our employees. I am delighted to build on Saatchi & Saatchi Switzerland’s success, to help roll out our new creative agenda and to work with such an amazing and talented group of individuals. I look forward to the learnings this new role will bring and the opportunity to work even closer with our regional and global leadership teams.”
Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Europe, Middle East and Africa, Simon Francis, said: “Michael has been an inspirational leader in Germany and I know his energy, passion and commitment to excellence will be extended across our network into Switzerland in this new regional role. Michael’s long history with Saatchi & Saatchi gives him a deep understanding of our network and our clients. We are sure that the experienced, regional perspective Michael brings will be an excellent addition to our offering in both markets.”
Outgoing CEO of Switzerland Kaspar Loeb departs Saatchi & Saatchi following a successful two and a half years managing the Agency across Switzerland and establishing the network’s Zurich agency.
“I feel a great sense of achievement in leading Saatchi & Saatchi across Switzerland, establishing our Zurich agency and taking it to such a healthy position. With Geneva and Zurich both flourishing, now feels like a good time to hand over. I always said that this would be my last leadership role in the industry and my intention was always to finish on a high note. I want to thank my team, and the wider Saatchi & Saatchi family for the great opportunity to work with such an iconic name in the advertising industry. I wish Michael and the team the very best for the future.”
Simon Francis thanked Loeb for his effort. “It’s a tremendous undertaking to build an office in a market as competitive and sophisticated in Switzerland, and we’re glad to say that Kaspar’s experience and expertise has taken us to an enviable position. We wish him well, and thank him for the effort and ability that we have benefited from.”
Saatchi & Saatchi round out the new management team with the promotion of Petar Dakovic to the role of Managing Director of the Zurich agency. Zurich born, Dakovic joined Saatchi & Saatchi in March 2009. Dakovic has over 10 years of industry experience with local and international agencies, DraftFCB and Lowe and has lead significant accounts, including Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Compaq Computers, Singapore Airlines, SonntagsBlick, Manor and SEAT.