Saatchi to split key China post with Leong's exit

<p>BEIJING: Saatchi & Saatchi China chief executive Mike Leong has quit </p><p>three months after joining the agency, with his role due to be divided </p><p>between the network's regional chief Patrick Pitcher and Charles </p><p>Sampson. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Sampson, who was until recently chief executive of Saatchi in Poland, </p><p>has been named chief executive of the Beijing office. It is Sampson's </p><p>first posting to Asia. Pitcher will oversee the network's offices in </p><p>Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, which have their respective chiefs. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Pitcher said Leong left because "he found his work didn't match with his </p><p>expectations. He is a great guy and we are happy to work with him, but </p><p>he came from Coca-Cola and never worked in advertising before". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Prior to joining Saatchi, Leong was vice-president and general manager </p><p>of new beverages (China Brands) at Coca-Cola China. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Following Leong's departure, Pitcher decided to look to the advertising </p><p>industry for someone with an understanding of the agency's culture as a </p><p>replacement. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>