M&C Saatchi pleased with year so far

Investors in global advertising agency M&C Saatchi were gathering on Wednesday for the company’s annual general meeting, with chairman Jeremy Sinclair set to update them on current trading, saying 2017 had started “well” and remained in line with expectations.

The AIM-traded firm had expanded its successful brand identity unit, RE, from Sydney to London in the year so far, Sinclair reported, and was set to take its research agency, the Source, on its first expansion from London to Melbourne.

“We have spread sports and entertainment's wings to cover LA,” Sinclair said, adding: “we are also taking our strategic consultancy Clear to LA, as well as opening in Berlin,” and: “we are looking at expanding the advertising network to Mexico City.”

In terms of new business, Sinclair claimed group companies had made a “good start”, with the LA office winning the business of American mutual insurance company Pacific Life, while their French colleagues won Haribo Candy.

“SS+K NY, in whom we have increased our stake from 51% to 67%, have won some Samsung and Airbnb,” Sinclair said.

“In the UK, the agency started the year well winning Dreams, the retailer and Visit Britain, a British Tourism campaign designed to persuade you to holiday here.”

Still in the UK, LIDA won The Body Shop, and M&C Saatchi PR won Virgin.

“All of this gives the board confidence of another successful year for the company.”