Following a shakeup in top management last month, agency network M&C Saatchi has announced that net organic revenue fell 7.3% last year to 204.7 GBP ($277 million). Pretax earnings fell by 20%. 

The company cited a number of issues including “weak consumer sentiment,” and U.S. trade policy changes that the firm said, “caused many clients to delay or reduce their marketing spend.” 

Some project-based work was suspended indefinitely, the group added. Another factor contributing to the performance shortfall last year was the U.S. government shutdown in the fourth quarter, impacting government services contracts.  

The company said it expects to achieve organic revenue growth this year in line with the current analyst consensus of 2.4%. A complicating factor this year is the war in Iran that is disrupting some of the firm’s projects in the Middle East.  

In March the company announced that CEO Zaid Al-Qassab would be departing at the end of the month. He’d been in the role for less than two years, and the search for a successor is ongoing. 

Also in March the firm announced that Vin Murria, whose company AdvancedAdvT Limited ("ADV") made a hostile (and unsuccessful) takeover bid for M&C Saatchi four years ago, had rejoined the board.  

Murria and ADV continue to own a combined 22% stake in M&C Saatchi. There’s been speculation in the European media that another takeover bid for the company may be coming. 

"Whilst we expect continued market uncertainty, we are confident in targeting net revenue growth and operating profit growth in 2026 in line with current market expectations” stated company executive chair Dame Heather Rabbatts.