Handford, currently ECD at Ogilvy & Mather and Chan, ECD at Leo Burnett, are expected to take up their new roles by mid-June.
According to Sylvia Lee, managing director, M&C Saatchi Hong Kong, the pair will provide a fresh set of eyes to begin the creative department revamp.
“They’ll look into what is the best way of putting it together, and it will be very much their call,” said Lee.
“We’ve been wanting to integrate our digital and mainstream, to be very media neutral, and they will really help drive that forward.”
Handford said that although both would likely be involved with overseeing the agency’s key clients in Hong Kong, which include Wyeth and KFC, a significant part of their remit would also involve new business development.
“(M&C Saatchi) does have an ambition, like every agency, to be established on the creative map. We also want to attract new talent, although we’re expecting this to be more a long-term reflection of the work we want to do now,” he said.
Lee added: “(The agency) has not been top-of-mind as much as we have wanted, because it is still quite a young agency. Hopefully, this new team will help our clients and prospects.”
Handford and Chan have both won multiple awards throughout their respective careers, including metal won at Cannes, Clios, D&AD and One Show.