M&C Saatchi has poached a pair of star creatives from rival agency McCann.  

Rob Doubal and Laurence Thomson have been appointed joint Global Chief Creative Officers at the London-based agency group. They were previously joint CCOs at McCann UK and co-presidents McCann London.  

Saatchi said the duo would join at an unspecified time later this year. They first joined forces in 2006 at Mother London followed by a stint at Wieden+Kennedy before moving to McCann London in 2012.  

The appointments are the latest executive talent additions at the agency. Incoming Global CEO Zaid Al-Qassab is set to join next month. He succeeds Moray MacLennan, who stepped down last fall after 30 years with the company. 

The move also follows by a day the release of the company’s 2023 financials, which showed a 2% organic net revenue decline for the full year.  

"2023 was a year of strategic progress,” stated Zillah Byng-Thorne, Executive Chair. Noting the recent sale of several non-core assets, she added, “We have begun to transform into a leaner and more agile business laying the groundwork for sustained growth and improved profitability ahead.”