Published on: July 22, 2026
M+C Saatchi has entered into heads of terms for a management buyout of its Australia and New Zealand operations, with the transaction expected to be completed on October 1, 2026.
The buyout will be led by CEO Dani Bassil alongside the agency’s senior leadership team, including Simon Wassef (Chief Strategy Officer), Jeremy Hogg (Executive Creative Director), Anita Zanesco (Chief Client Officer), Remi Couzelas (Managing Director, Re), and Jack Playfair (Head of Sport and Entertainment).
The move marks a new phase for the ANZ business, enabling greater local decision-making while allowing the leadership team to invest directly in growth, talent, customer experience, connected communications, artificial intelligence, and automation capabilities.
Following the completion of the transaction, M+C Saatchi Group ANZ will continue to provide its integrated services across brand strategy, creative, consulting, customer experience, design, and sport and entertainment. The agency aims to help clients address complex business challenges and drive commercial growth through a locally led operating model.
Dani Bassil, CEO of M+C Saatchi ANZ, said, “This is an exciting moment for our business, clients and partners. We have outstanding client relationships and a team of exceptional creative talent across Australia and New Zealand. The transaction will allow the locally-led management team to focus entirely on the opportunities in front of us and to shape our future with speed and ambition.”
Dame Heather Rabbatts, Executive Chair of M+C Saatchi plc, said, “I am delighted that the business in Australia and New Zealand will begin a new chapter as we continue to simplify our operational structure.
“This proposed transaction is intended to provide the best platform for our clients in the region, while enabling the M+C Saatchi brand to remain present in the market. I would like to thank our teams across Australia and New Zealand and wish them every success for the future.”
The management buyout is backed by growth investment firm Parc, which shares the leadership team’s long-term vision of building an independent creative, design and sports business across Australia and New Zealand.
Parc believes the investment reflects confidence in both the Australian market and the future of entrepreneur-led agency models.
Adam Pozniak, Co-founder of Parc, said, “We’re delighted to back Dani and the leadership team in this next chapter. M+C Saatchi Group ANZ have built a genuinely differentiated offer in the region, and we see significant opportunity to support their growth ambitions, both organically and through further investment. This is exactly the kind of founder and management led opportunity Parc was set up to support”.
The agency confirmed that clients will continue to work with the same brands and leadership teams after the transaction is completed, with no disruption to existing operations. The deal remains subject to customary approvals and conditions.
Read more: M+C Saatchi Group Appoints Rhian Mason as Managing Partner for Passions & PR in Australia
