Jacques Burger to head up M&C Saatchi Abel Joburg

22 Jul 2010

It has been confirmed that South African expat Jacques Burger, CEO of Australian agency The Campaign Palace, will be returning to South Africa to head up M&C Saatchi Abel's new Johannesburg office opening on 1 October 2010, with close friend and creative director Vumile Mavumengwana as partner.

Jacques Burger

M&C Saatchi's expansion into the Johannesburg market and Burger's move back to SA demonstrates both M&C Saatchi's and Burger's confidence in the country.

Comments Mike Abel, chief executive partner of M&C Saatchi Abel, "We are thrilled to have an outstanding global talent and friend like Burger head up our second South African operation. This appointment builds on the exceptional start that we've made in attracting both clients and talent. In the past six months we've been appointed by companies like MWeb, Sanlam, Furnish, Radisson Blu, Park Inn and Ramsay Media, amongst other great brands."

Comments Burger, "I was delighted when Mike Abel approached me with this incredible opportunity. I have been blown away by what they have achieved so far, swiftly securing talent and new business and I look forward to contributing to this exciting new group."

Vumile Mavumengwana

"Couldn't think of a better person"

Adds Mavumengwana, "I couldn't think of a better person to partner with in opening the agency."

Burger, who assumed leadership of the Campaign Palace, mid 2008, has been widely acknowledged for the outstanding success he has helped achieve with that iconic agency. In the past two years he has lead the creative rejuvenation of the agency, with work being recognised and awarded at Cannes, D&AD, One Show, New York Festival and the EFFIES. A raft of new accounts have been added to the agency and he has built up a formidable team, attracting an internationally acclaimed group of individuals across all disciplines. In 2009, he was ranked one of the 40 most impressive performers under the age of 40 in marketing and communications in Australia by AdNews.

Says Zeyad Davids, managing partner digital, another returnee to SA, "Jacques and I didn't work together in Australia, but JB has a formidable reputation for leading the digital transformation of one of Australia's true creative powerhouses. Having spoken at length with Jacques about using digital to measurably improve our clients business, I'm thrilled that he's joining the team."

"Superb job leading the Palace"

"Jacques has done a superb job leading the Palace. He came in at a particularly sensitive time and quickly exceeded expectations on all measures. Passionate, talented, extremely hard-working and with impeccable values - we've been lucky to have him. An excellent professional and a good friend," says Nigel Marsh, well-known author and group CEO, Y&R Brands ANZ.

It is no secret that Burger enjoys a very close and highly successful history with the leadership team of M&C Saatchi Abel, having once led the Ogilvy Cape Group under Abel, then COO of the national Ogilvy Group.

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