EXCLUSIVE: M&C Saatchi Abel JHB appoints managing partner

by MarkLives (@marklives) Faheem Chaudhry has rejoined the M&C Saatchi Abel Group as managing partner of the Johannesburg agency, where he teams up with the existing leadership team of Neo Mashigo (group chief creative officer), Adam Weber (executive creative director JHB) and Makosha Maja-Rasethaba (head of strategy JHB).

L-R: Neo Mashigo, Adam Weber, Makosha Maja-Rasethaba and Faheem Chaudhry. Supplied.

Chaudhry previously worked at M&C Saatchi Abel, between 2013 and 2016. before moving to M&C Saatchi London as a senior strategist and, finally, as strategy director. While at the M&C Saatchi London agency, he co-founded Black and White, a strategic consultancy within the PLC.

“Triple homecoming”

“This feels like a triple homecoming for me: returning to the city I grew up in, alongside a group of partners I admire and trust, in the agency where I spent my formative years,” comments Chaudhry. “Gaining global experience at M&C Saatchi’s HQ in London for the past few years has been fantastic but, ultimately, the pull of home and completing the M&C Saatchi Abel Johannesburg leadership, alongside Neo, MK and Adam, was too strong.

“I believe South African creativity is going to enjoy exponential success over the next decade. Trevor Noah, DJ Black Coffee, Dr Ester Mahlungu, Nelson Makamo, Trevor Stuurman, among others, are all building South Africa’s cultural capital on the world stage. A huge commercial opportunity for organisations will be to stake their claim in, and contribute to, South African culture. It’s the perfect climate to build brands that are locally transformative and globally admired. The chance to work with our people and in partnership with our clients to drive growth for their businesses and, for the SA economy, is a challenge I find both critical and irresistible.”

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