Saatchi’s GM succumbs to Wellywood

Hobbits aside, it’s body snatchers who have struck at Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington – claiming GM Cameron Harland to head up Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post Production in Miramar. Harland is the second from Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington to succumb, with outgoing Park Road Post GM Aimee McCammon also a former Saatchi employee.

Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington, on a roll with the recent win of the entire Defence Force business and a number of awards including Gold, Silver and Bronze at the recent Axis Awards, is working through transition arrangements with Harland who will remain on board through to late June.

Andrew Stone, Saatchi & Saatchi NZ CEO, says Peter Jackson is a tough act to compete against: “It’s an incredible opportunity for Cameron – we’re just hoping Peter will leave our very talented people alone for a while now as we’ve got heaps of work to get on with ourselves!”

Stone says he is talking with several people about the GM’s role, but it is too early for any announcements. “As well as new business wins, we’ve got some really important partnerships with some great clients so we are very committed to finding the right person for the role.”

For Harland, it’s been a classic case of an offer he couldn’t refuse. “I will be sad to leave Saatchi’s, which is going great guns and is itself the home of such wonderful creative talent. I have been a client of Saatchi’s, and worked for them both in London and New Zealand, and there is no other agency I would work for. However, the opportunity to work with Peter Jackson and help bring to life his extraordinary vision is something I couldn’t say no to.”

As well as the Defence Force win, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington recently picked up a large project for the Electricity Commission as well as the CCS Disability Action business. The agency also recently featured on the ABC show The Gruen Transfer.