M&C Saatchi announces new leadership team for SG

Singapore – Performance marketing agency M&C Saatchi has announced its new leadership team in Singapore, namely Madina Kalyayeva as managing director and Ali Shabaz as chief creative officer. Both hires will report to Richard Morewood, CEO for Asia at M&C Saatchi.

Both hires will be responsible for strengthening the agency’s integrated communications offering with a vision to rebuild it into a digital-first, Web3-ready outfit. A key focus for them will be to identify and develop the right people and partnerships to deliver impactful brand storytelling and innovative solutions across every touchpoint.

Kalyayeva joins the agency from R.S.V.P PR & Lifestyle Communications Agency, where she served as a managing director. Prior to this, she has had stints at Grey Group and McCann, working on clients that include Qatar Airways, Hotels.com, Coca Cola, and WWF, among others.

Speaking about her appointment, she said, “The foundation of new technologies like Web3 and metaverse are still being laid, and brands are still exploring the space. We are hoping to put the right expertise – people and partnerships – in place to navigate, create and lead meaningful changes, not just in the real world, but also in the metaverse.”

Meanwhile, Shabaz comes to M&C Saatchi with over 20 years of experience in the marketing and communications industry across SEA and the Middle-East. He has worked at multiple international agencies including BBDO, JWT, Grey and RAPP, and most recently the Chief Creative Officer at Publicis Groupe.

He said, “It is truly a fantastic time to be in advertising. There is a buzz in the air and we are seeing amazing, never-before creative opportunities to tell great brand stories. I’m very excited to join the team at M&C Saatchi. The agency has a great culture and strong vision of the future. Working with Richard, Madina and the whole team is going to be inspiring. I think we are definitely looking at some interesting times ahead.”

Commenting on the new appointments, Morewood said, “I’m so delighted that Madina and Ali are joining M&C Saatchi Singapore. They have an amazing plan for the agency, combining world class creativity with future thinking digital vision, which will be a real point of difference for clients both in Singapore and as part of the M&C Saatchi Southeast Asia hub.”

Lastly, Moray MacLennan, CEO at M&C Saatchi, added, “We welcome Madina and Ali who will be hitting the accelerator pedal on our Southeast Asia strategy – digital first, fully integrated, delivering meaningful change.”