Dani Bassil appointed CEO of M+C Saatchi AUNZ, Justin Graham to depart

M+C Saatchi Group has announced the appointment of Dani Bassil as the new CEO for Australia and New Zealand, effective August 2025. 

 

In this newly created role, Bassil will oversee the group’s advertising, consulting, and Passions & PR businesses across the region, including sport and entertainment sectors. Bassil brings extensive experience from leading agencies such as Clemenger BBDO Australia, where she was most recently CEO, as well as Digitas UK, JWT UK, and Ogilvy Sydney. Her broad expertise in marketing, digital, and strategic leadership is expected to drive the agency’s next phase of growth and innovation.

 

"I’ve admired the M+C Saatchi brand for as long as I can remember," said Bassil. "How we drive value and growth for clients through strategic thinking and cut through with powerful creative and brand ideas is what I get out of bed for, and there’s no better agency brand than M+C Saatchi to partner with clients to achieve this. I can’t wait to get started."

 

In a related leadership change, Justin Graham will step down as CEO of M+C Saatchi Group APAC later this year after a successful 12-year tenure. Graham joined the agency from Droga5 in 2013 and has held several senior roles, including group CSO Australia and CEO ANZ, before becoming APAC regional CEO. Under his leadership, M+C Saatchi has earned numerous accolades, including AFR’s Most Innovative Marketing & Media Company and multiple Effie Awards. He will remain in his role until the end of 2025 to support Bassil’s transition and the realignment of the Asia business, which will be led from the Singapore headquarters going forward.

 

Zaid Al-Qassab, global CEO of M+C Saatchi Group, praised both leaders, highlighting Bassil’s client-centric approach and digital expertise as vital for the agency’s future, and acknowledging Graham’s contributions over more than a decade. 

 

The leadership team in Australia and New Zealand, including Steve Coll and Tanya Vragalis, will report to Bassil as she takes the helm. Meanwhile, Graham will continue his involvement in industry roles such as director positions at the Advertising Council and social impact organisation Unltd.