Stone back at Saatchi & Saatchi

By SIMON HENDERY

One of the advertising world's worst-kept secrets has finally been confirmed.

Industry heavyweight Andrew Stone is returning to his old stomping ground as Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand chief executive.

News of the appointment - delivered yesterday by Saatchi's worldwide head, global Kiwi commuter Kevin Roberts - has been expected since Stone left Generator Bates in November.

Stone, 43, worked for Saatchi & Saatchi in London and Auckland between 1988 and 1995 before leaving to co-found Generator, which was sold to Bates in 2000.

He begins his new job on February 3 and replaces Ian Christie, who has taken up a global account management position in Saatchi's London office.

Stone admitted that Saatchi's New Zealand operation did not hold the stellar position it once did.

But he did not believe he was stepping into an organisation requiring major repairs.

"Certainly when I was last at Saatchi's there was a great distance between ourselves and any other agency and I think it's fair to say that that's narrowed.

"I think what's not fair is to suggest that there are major issues [within the agency] because I genuinely don't think there are. The agency still has the greatest talent pool collectively of any agency in New Zealand - probably Australasia for that matter."

He would spend much of the first month or two getting to know Saatchi's clients, "understanding the nature of our relationship with them, considering what the opportunities are, considering what the issues are".

Saatchi & Saatchi received a boost this week with news it had picked up Griffin's Foods biscuit and snack portfolio.