Rowan Chanen resurfaces at M&C Saatchi

Chanen will take the role of regional creative director for M&C Saatchi Asia, reporting to regional CEO Chris Jaques.

The deal reunites Chanen with Jaques and Robert Campbell, managing partner of M&C’s brand consultancy Sunshine. All three previously worked at Y&R. 

Chanen, now based in Hong Kong, said he was looking forward to working at an independent agency. “BBH and Wieden & Kennedy have done some of the best and most meaningful work for iconic brands. As a big fan of both those agency brands, I think they have set the standard we all need to aim for.”

The appointment follows a difficult time for M&C, which announced layoffs in Hong Kong this year as Jaques sought to introduce a “high-growth, high-margin” strategy. “It’s been a tough year-and-a-half, but we’ve done the hard part,” said Jaques. “We’re now profitable everywhere and we’re growing. But our work simply isn’t good enough. We need more big ideas that transform business. That’s Rowan’s job.”

Chanen was at Y&R for three years before departing last August, following the appointment of Marcus Rebeschini as chief creative officer for Asia.