M&C Saatchi opens in Pakistan

M&C Saatchi has officially launched its first full-service agency in Pakistan as part of its strategy to grow its network by partnering with local entrepreneurs.

The agency network will offer a full scope of creative services in an office in capital city Islamabad, to be led by veteran advertising exec Imran Irshad. He starts as chief executive of M&C Saatchi Islamabad with immediate effect.

The office will oversee client activity across the whole of Pakistan.

Irshad has an long-standing relationship with the network. He has held various roles as an account manager for Saatchi & Saatchi handling Procter & Gamble in Pakistan, and business head in Saudi Arabia. In 2006 he left the Middle East to found agency Pirana in Karachi.

M&C Saatchi World Services, a specialist social impact division of the network, then struck a joint venture with Pirana to launch M&C Saatchi World Services Pakistan, which Irshad has led as chief executive for the last three years.

Irshad will be an equity owner in M&C Saatchi Islamabad.

The agency's office in Islamabad

The agency opens with existing clients including Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, Audi, Unicef, DFID, UNODC and USAID.

Irshad, said: “Bringing the M&C Saatchi name to Pakistan with such prestige clientele already on board represents the beginning of a new era. To be a part of such a respected company will fortify our position as the premier agency in the region.”

M&C Saatchi Worldwide chief executive Moray MacLennan added: “Opening in Pakistan at a time when its economy is growing apace and its business gaining international momentum, gives me no doubt this is the right move at the right time for M&C Saatchi Worldwide. Combined with the unassailable knowledge and experience Imran Irshad brings, I’m convinced even more so.”