Saatchi & Saatchi Announces Senior Strategy Elevations and Appointment

Saatchi & Saatchi has announced a string of senior appointments as part of a new wave of investment in its Strategy discipline.

Former head of planning Sam Wise has been elevated to executive strategy director, a new role leading strategy for growth on international brands and new global-reaching briefs. With Saatchi & Saatchi for more than a decade, Sam has been integral to Saatchi's new business growth and has led the planning practice since 2016. He has overseen the strategy for accounts including EE throughout its rise to become the UK’s number one network, Direct Line during its double IPA Effectiveness gold-winning period, and award-winning work for Deutsche Telekom.

Emily Lewis-Keane, who joined the agency last year as strategy partner, has been promoted to head of planning, replacing Sam. Prior to joining Saatchi & Saatchi, Emily was vice president for strategy at Cossette, the largest creative agency in Canada. As head of planning Emily will be responsible for shaping the structure and capabilities of the agency’s strategic offering, working closely with CSO Richard Huntington.

New hire James Addlestone has also been appointed head of data arts, and will work closely with both Richard Huntington’s team and Ruth Bates, head of data arts, Publicis Groupe UK. Formerly CSO at performance marketing agency Journey Further, James previously held senior data roles at both RAPP and Deloitte. At Saatchi & Saatchi, James will lead and grow the Data Arts specialism, building new tools and products to unearth transformative insights for Saatchi’s client partners. 

Richard Huntington, CSO, Saatchi & Saatchi said, “We’re in a period of incredible momentum and as we look to grow our influence and real world impact in 2024, it’s vital that we support the best thinkers in the business to run at the challenges our client partners face. I’m delighted that James has chosen to join us to help drive our real world insight and data capabilities, and also to see Sam and Emily take on brilliant new challenges.”