Quinton Luck, managing director of Saatchi & Saatchi, says that besides cementing an industry-leading position for the longstanding advertising agency, this recent band of accolades affirms the value of rebellious creativity.

"About a year ago, after successfully restructuring the agency from an operational perspective, we made the decision to dedicate 2020 to creativity — even if this meant fighting for the sake of delivering outstanding work," says Luck. 

"Our 2020 mantra of 'rebellious creativity' was an invitation to let our creatives loose and to back bold ideas with plucky spirit. In a very challenging year, we focused on what really matters — the power of creativity to solve problems and make a real impact for our clients," says chief creative officer Jonathan Beggs.

"We're now firmly on track to achieving our personal goal of being the top-ranked agency in Publicis Groupe — the world's third-largest communications group, of which Saatchi & Saatchi is a part," adds Luck. 

According to the agency, Saatchi & Saatchi's creative director Stephanie Symonds was instrumental to this creative-first agency approach. 

"With a name like Saatchi on our door, it's a no brainer that creative freedom and rebellion should underpin everything we do. We are a team of misfits extraordinaire encouraged to say, think and do whatever we want on this rumble up the ranks. This is only the beginning," says Symonds.

Luck says that an integral part of their restructuring plan was to appoint a managing partner to run the day-to-day agency. This is someone who is a progressive thinker with a proven track record of putting people first.

"Firdous Osman was an obvious choice based on her never-ending energy, passion and creativity," says Luck. Osman joined in May 2020.

"If I were to have told industry peers that 2020 would be Saatchi & Saatchi's year, many would have been sceptical. But here we are, stronger than ever and ready to shape the future of some of South Africa's most iconic brands," Luck adds. 

"We are living proof of our mantra that nothing is impossible, so long as we stick together and trust in our people and their innate creative spirit," Luck concludes.

For more information, visit www.saatchi.co.za. You can also follow Saatchi & Saatchi on Facebook or on Twitter.