Saatchi & Saatchi Simko comes to Zurich
The Geneva-based advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi Simko will open a branch in Zurich in early 2008. At the same time, Kaspar Loeb will assume the role of CEO at both locations. Agency founder Pedro Simko will remain chairman of the board and will also take on management responsibilities within the international network.
The Geneva-based advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi Simko is opening a branch in Zurich at the beginning of 2008. At the same time, Kaspar Loeb will assume the role of CEO at both locations. Agency founder Pedro Simko will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors and will also take on management tasks in the international network. According to Saatchi & Saatchi Simko, the expansion to Zurich is an expression of a consistent growth strategy. According to the latest BSW ranking, the agency has quickly become the second-largest Swiss advertising agency with around 92 employees. "We have wanted to open a branch in Zurich for some time, and now the time is right," says Pedro Simko. Saatchi & Saatchi Simko not only sees good opportunities for growth in German-speaking Switzerland. According to the press release, existing customers will also receive better local support and information channels and response times will be significantly shorter.
The former Publicis boss Kaspar Loeb will take over the position of CEO for both locations in Switzerland from January 2008. "In Kaspar Loeb, we have gained a proven expert and outstanding manager with a large network who can provide us with important growth impetus and position the Group correctly for the challenges of the future," explains Simko. After completing his law degree at the University of Basel, Kaspar Loeb worked as a journalist in national print and electronic media. He then worked as a brand consultant at Interbrand Zintzmeyer & Lux, headed Seiler DDB from 2000 to 2004 and was CEO of Publicis from 2004 to fall 2007.
Pedro Simko, who will remain the contact person and consultant for key clients, will take on important management tasks for the international Saatchi & Saatchi network in addition to his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saatchi & Saatchi Simko in Switzerland with immediate effect, as detailed in the press release. He will become Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and thus also a member of Saatchi & Saatchi's four-person European Management Team, which is headed by Simon Francis. Simon Francis says: "Simko has proven that he can lead an agency to the top. He will be able to give us important impetus for the development of Saatchi & Saatchi internationally." Among other things, Simko is directly responsible for the growth strategy and implementation of the network in the EMEA region. He also sits on the Worldwide Executive Board of Saatchi & Saatchi in New York and has an influence on the global development of the network.
Pedro Simko founded the agency in 1991. In 2001, he increased the focus on classic advertising and brought in Olivier Girard from Euro RSCG as CD. In 2003, Simko began negotiations with international partners and merged with Saatchi&Saatchi in May 2004. According to a press release, Saatchi&Saatchi Simko was the fastest growing agency within the global network in 2005 and 2006.
The former Publicis boss Kaspar Loeb will take over the position of CEO for both locations in Switzerland from January 2008. "In Kaspar Loeb, we have gained a proven expert and outstanding manager with a large network who can provide us with important growth impetus and position the Group correctly for the challenges of the future," explains Simko. After completing his law degree at the University of Basel, Kaspar Loeb worked as a journalist in national print and electronic media. He then worked as a brand consultant at Interbrand Zintzmeyer & Lux, headed Seiler DDB from 2000 to 2004 and was CEO of Publicis from 2004 to fall 2007.
Pedro Simko, who will remain the contact person and consultant for key clients, will take on important management tasks for the international Saatchi & Saatchi network in addition to his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saatchi & Saatchi Simko in Switzerland with immediate effect, as detailed in the press release. He will become Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and thus also a member of Saatchi & Saatchi's four-person European Management Team, which is headed by Simon Francis. Simon Francis says: "Simko has proven that he can lead an agency to the top. He will be able to give us important impetus for the development of Saatchi & Saatchi internationally." Among other things, Simko is directly responsible for the growth strategy and implementation of the network in the EMEA region. He also sits on the Worldwide Executive Board of Saatchi & Saatchi in New York and has an influence on the global development of the network.
Pedro Simko founded the agency in 1991. In 2001, he increased the focus on classic advertising and brought in Olivier Girard from Euro RSCG as CD. In 2003, Simko began negotiations with international partners and merged with Saatchi&Saatchi in May 2004. According to a press release, Saatchi&Saatchi Simko was the fastest growing agency within the global network in 2005 and 2006.
