Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Leif Stromnes as chief strategy officer for ANZ

Australia – Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed Leif Stromnes as chief strategy officer for Australia and New Zealand, with the agency saying the move strengthens its regional strategic capabilities. He will begin the role in January 2026.

Based in Australia, Stromnes will lead senior strategy teams in Melbourne and Sydney, focusing on delivering results-driven work and advancing innovation in communications planning and the use of AI. He will work closely with chief creative officers Mandie van der Merwe and Avish Gordhan.

Patrick Rowe, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, said, “Strategy is the foundation of everything we do, and Leif brings a wealth of experience and a future-focused mindset that will help us unlock even greater creative impact for our clients. His leadership will ensure we continue to deliver bold, innovative solutions that embody our belief that ‘Nothing is Impossible’. Plus, he’s a lovely human and a lot of fun. We’re excited to have him as part of our team.”

Stromnes brings more than three decades of experience across South Africa, Australia, Asia and the US. He has worked with major brands including Unilever, McDonald’s, Arnott’s, Tourism Australia, Westpac, Virgin Airlines, Volkswagen, Coles, Mars, Kmart and Telstra.

On his appointment, Stromnes said, “I’m thrilled to be joining such a storied and acclaimed creative agency in our region. I have long been an admirer of the consistently high bar that Saatchi & Saatchi has set, and with the power of Publicis Groupe behind us, I’m excited to see how we can truly unlock the ‘Nothing is Impossible’ mantra for our clients and business.”

The agency said the appointment supports continued investment in its strategic capabilities, following a year of industry recognition that included eight Australian Effie Awards and the Colin Wilson-Brown award.

As part of his remit, Stromnes will also take on a leadership role in New Zealand, working with Saatchi & Saatchi NZ’s executive strategy director Tim Cullihane and the local strategy team.