Media Release
February 2013

M&C Saatchi Connect launches in South Africa.

M&C Saatchi Connect aims to redefine the agency media landscape with an offering providing integrated and efficient consumer touchpoint neutral solutions to Client's business challenges. Martin MacGregor appointed MD of M&C Saatchi Connect.

"The introduction of M&C Saatchi Connect co-incides with our 3rd birthday in South Africa" commented Moray MacLennan, Worldwide CEO of M&C Saatchi. "Mike Abel and his founding partners, opened in Cape Town on February 1st, 2010 with no clients and a staff compliment of 13! Today we have 165 people in our JHB and Cape Town offices providing communication solutions to an array of blue chip clients. 2013 revenue outlook is fast approaching the R100m milestone."

"Martin MacGregor is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading communication strategists. His obsession with creating synergy between message and consumer touchpoints in a manner that is accountable will ensure that M&C Saatchi Connect provides clients with an invaluable and unique competitive advantage."

"Three years ago, when we launched M&C Saatchi Abel, we set out to redefine the traditional advertising agency model. I have no doubt that Martin and his team of touchpoint strategists will redefine the industry media model and produce similar outstanding results for the group and their clients" said Moray.

"M&C Saatchi Connect is not a typical media specialist company" explains Martin MacGregor, who will head up this new M&C Saatchi South Africa entity. "We plan to redefine the media agency landscape with an offering that looks across touchpoints and has the depth of skill to back it up. But also one which understands touchpoint and message integration and the broad measurement metrics required to show whether communication is working."

"A touchpoint is any potential place or time that a consumer could engage with a brand. A connection happens when there is synergy between message and touchpoint. M&C Saatchi Connect will ensure that synergy is cost effectively achieved, yet impactful" outlined Martin.

"We believe media is a limiting term, where the opportunities to touch consumers are so broad in number and definition and where most "mediums" now make little sense without the context of messaging. So at M&C Saatchi Connect we don't use the word media. We talk touchpoints in the true sense of the word."

"Once a business challenge is understood, arguing whether Radio or TV is the better opportunity is limiting. A look at all existing owned assets (store window, database, website, Facebook page, in-store, sponsorships, events etc.), their present effectiveness and their ability to earn a response, is where any touchpoint strategy should start. Paid media should be used carefully and selectively and with the bigger touchpoint picture in mind."

"If a brand is serious about really connecting with the current consumer, there needs to be total integration in the development of what to say and where to say it. The more engaging the touch, the more effective the touchpoint. This requires collaboration with messaging teams to ensure we find the optimum creative solution. Problem solving with the idea generators is fundamental to our DNA."

"How do we deliver this? Our touchpoint strategists are trained beyond the complexities of traditional media to integrate the effects of all communication initiatives into one consolidated touchpoint approach. Collaboration with internal and external specialists is key to adding further strategic depth. We are already working in this way with M&C Saatchi Abel clients and creatives and the group's globally recognized M&C Saatchi Mobile and M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment companies."

"The companies that are thriving are the ones whose business model allows them to objectively deliver the right touchpoint solution to a brands business challenge - not just a big ad and a media plan. Our doors are open in JHB and Cape Town. We would love to engage with prospective clients to illustrate how our touchpoint strategy will increase market share and bottom line results."

"Late in 2012, Moray MacLennan announced the launch of M&C Saatchi Africa to the media. Rick de Kock will spearhead our growth into Africa. He is immensely experienced in the region and has a highly successful track record in building such a network. I look forward to collaborating with Rick to ensure that M&C Saatchi Connect exploits all growth opportunities for our clients on the Continent" concluded Martin.

Martin MacGregor can be contacted on 083-2601310

Issued by: Bill Stephens - Executive Consultant PR
T +27 21 421 1024. M +27 82 558 9761
E-mail: bill.stephens@mcsaatchiabel.co.za

Media Release
December 2012

A Social media campaign for Dementia SA wins the inaugural Maurices Award for brilliant creative work

Last week, Moray MacLennan, Worldwide CEO of M&C Saatchi, presented the inaugural Maurices Award. The award acknowledges the best piece of work from the global network in 2012. The work, judged by the creative heads from all 27 offices in the network, was produced for Dementia SA by M&C Saatchi Abel C.T.

On receiving the award on behalf of the M&C Saatchi Abel team, Kayli commented, "Dementia SA do so much for sufferers of Alzheimers and dementia and their loved ones. Having the opportunity to create a piece of work to help their cause has been the highlight of my career, especially as I saw my own grandmother endure this terrible disease. Receiving the awards that we have, including Bookmarks, Assegais, and now the prestigious, inaugural, international Gold Maurices has been both an honour and a delight."

"Dementia and Alzheimers affects many people directly (the sufferers) and indirectly (their families and loved ones). But as there is a lack of awareness around the disease, it is easily misunderstood and as a result the sufferers are often stigmatised and neglected, leading to poor treatment and anguish in those who have it and those who care for sufferers."

"Our challenge was to increase awareness and understanding of this irreversible disease, especially amongst a younger audience. They are ultimately the ones who care for those suffer from it and need to have a deeper understanding of everything it entails" said Kayli.

"We realised that the most powerful way to demonstrate and educate our audience on what dementia truly is, would be for them to experience it for themselves. Reading or hearing about it would clearly not evoke the same emotional impact."

"We opted for a Social Media campaign to get users to help spread the message for us on Facebook. We developed an application called 'Remember Me Not' which allowed users to experience dementia for themselves."

"Users downloaded the app by visiting www.remebermenot.com. Once the app is downloaded it uses the viewer's personal Facebook information to create a unique, personalised viewing experience whereby all the elements of their own Facebook profile disappears. It starts with deleting little things, the viewer's last Facebook status, then their "likes" - movies, books, music etc. It then moves on to their friends, where their names and faces disappear. It continues through the viewer's own profile to their photos, deleting all their photos, their events and Facebook chat goes blank. The names and faces in the family section get mixed up and then disappear altogether. The map of where the viewer lives pulls back to show the whole world, which fades to white. It scrolls all the way down to the bottom of their profile where their "life began" - their baby photo and information disappears. It scrolls upwards to the top of the Facebook profile page, deleting as it goes, until finally the cover photo and profile photo disappears. Once the screen has gone blank, only your name remains, until that goes too."

While the user watches these elements disappear there is a voice over explaining what is happening as it is happening...

"It starts with the little things. Losing your train of thought mid-sentence. The title of your favourite book or movie skips your mind. You start to forget your friends. First it's a name, then a face - as if they were never there. You forget who you love and who you don't. The moments you shared begin to fade. It's lonely. There's nowhere to go. No one to talk to. They say they're your family. Your mother, your brother, your wife, your child. You forget where you come from, where you are going. Your world slowly empties. You forget your life, your history, your everything...
You forget how you became you."

"By personalising the disease it becomes something real, something tangible - so people can understand and empathise with the sufferer and their loved ones" said Kayli.

"Dementia SA is delighted that such a professional and internationally accredited agency like M&CSaatchiAbel was even interested in assisting us was absolutely incredible. The "remember-me-not-campaign" was conceptualized and developed by a young and vibrant team of creative young people and appeals to a young, vibey audience, many of whom are possibly going to become "parents to their parents" who could be at risk of developing a dementia because of their age. It is a thought-provoking campaign which uses their own familiar references to illustrate what dementia and Alzheimer's disease does - robbing the person with dementia of their identity. We know that this campaign will raise awareness very necessary for helping our organization maintain and support the dignity and care of those diagnosed with dementia, their families care givers and communities." commented Susan Howell, Project Coordinator, Dementia SA

A blogger (whose mother suffers from dementia) said it best when discussing the difficulties of the disease, "And then a small miracle happens - Dementia SA and M&C Saatchi Abel teams up, and do something spectacular: visually, beautifully, and strikingly true - and real, very real."

Media Release
December 2012

Rick de Kock appointed MD of M&CSaatchi Africa

Rick, until recently, was the Director of Africa Operations for TBWA\Africa. He managed the Network of 15 offices across 13 countries on the continent. During his 6 years at TBWA\Africa, the Network was acknowledged as one of the strongest and most credible operations on the Continent servicing clients such as Standard Bank, Visa, GSK and Diageo.
"Having spent time in more than 20 African countries, I am an Afro-optimist who believes that Africa's time arrived a while ago and that it has just taken the world a while to wake-up to the fact" commented Rick.
"I love the entrepreneurial spirit of M&CSaatchi globally and the manner in which they empower their people to go out there and do what needs to be done. You can see how Mike Abel and his team have adopted this spirit in South Africa and how it is clearly working as M&CSaatchi Abel continues to shoot the lights out."
"We believe that Rick is an exceptional person to lead our foray into Africa. He is immensely experienced in the region and has a highly successful track record in building such a network. Our business relationship and friendship goes back 16 years so he's another trusted partner" said Mike Abel, Chief Executive Partner at M&CSaatchi Abel.

Rick comments further on prospects in Africa. "We are experiencing the 3rd wave of investment in Africa as more and more global FMCG companies enter the market in order to engage with the 1 billion people that live here. However, what excites me even more than that is the growing role of regional brands in West and East Africa and the opportunities that these brands offer to us as communication specialists."
"The rise of the African middle class combined with their growing spending power, the role of technology in connecting the people of Africa like never before and the down-turn in the traditional markets of Europe and America means that Africa is at the centre of a perfect storm of investment. Global brands clearly see the African opportunity. They need communication partners who understand the continent and its people."
"I am looking forward to taking the most recognizable name in advertising forward into the rest of Africa. And it is a perfect fit - after all creativity and entrepreneurism are second nature to the people of Africa. Just as they are to the people in the M&CSaatchi global network. "

"I am often humbled by the optimism, talent and energy that I have witnessed in Africa and I am looking forward to building relationships that harness this sprit" concluded Rick.

Prior to his time at TBWA\Africa, Rick was Managing Director of TBWA\G1 and before that Brand Manager at Volkswagen Group South Africa. Rick departs TBWA\Africa at the end of January to take up his new role as MD of M&CSaatchi Africa where he is tasked with taking the brand into the continent.

Issued by: Bill Stephens - Executive Consultant PR
T +27 21 421 1024. M +27 82 558 9761
E-mail: bill.stephens@mcsaatchiabel.co.za

Media Release
November 2012

Sipho Maseko joins M&C Saatchi Abel as Non- Executive Chairman

M&C Saatchi Abel Communications Group, appoint former BP Africa CEO and Vodacom COO to their Board

"We're thrilled to have someone of Sipho's experience, intellect and integrity. Our business model is specifically to work with people whom we know, like and trust at the highest level in our Company thereby eliminating margin for error. Sipho more than meets these criteria. We have a long-standing relationship over many years when he was my senior Client at BP and I've always admired and valued his clear vision, determination and ability to get things done. But beyond this, he has a strong entrepreneurial flair and ability that will add massive value to our growth ambitions both domestically and into the Continent" commented Mike Abel, Chief Executive Partner, M&C Saatchi Abel.

For over 15 years, Maseko held senior executive positions with BP, including 3 years in the petroleum group's London headquarters. He was CEO of BP Africa for 4 years before joining Vodacom SA as MD and Group Chief Operating Officer - a position he relinquished earlier this year.

Sipho joins non-exec directors, Top Billing presenter and former Miss SA Jo-Ann Strauss and Mazars Group Partner, Mansoor Salee, on the M&C Saatchi Abel Board.

"I'm delighted to join Mike and his partners on the Board of M&C Saatchi Abel. Working together with their incredibly talented pool of 150 people in the JHB and C.T. offices, I hope to contribute towards further growing this dynamic communications agency. Their single minded business focus to grow clients' top-line and market share measurably through a federation of entrepreneurs, delivering brilliant and imaginative work, irrespective of channel, resonates with me," said Maseko.

"To join the agency leadership team at a time when they have comfortably retained their BEE level 3 status is a privilege. In fact, level 2 status within 12 months is one of our key strategic focus points."

Kgomotso Selokane, Director of Talent and Transformation at M&C Saatchi Abel, outlines the structure of the Agency. "50, 1 % of the equity is owned by M&C Saatchi PLC. 21,9% by our Black Ownership Trust and the balance by local management shareholders. When Trust dividends are declared, we pay them out to institutions we have adopted, such as the Baphumelele Children's Home, in proportion to their participation in the Trust. This gives institutions such as Baphumelele a sustainable annuity income. In addition, over 50% of the distributable equity has been made available for local black ownership with a specific focus on staff. I look forward to working with Sipho in our quest to further transform our Agency and develop our talent pool in both our JHB and C.T. offices," said Kgomotso.

"Significantly, Sipho joins our leadership team soon after we introduced 2 new specialist communication entities to South Africa - M&C Saatchi Mobile and M&C Saatchi News, Sport & Entertainment. Watch this space for further news early in the New Year," concluded Mike Abel.

Media Release
October 2012

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, the top sports marketing company in the United Kingdom for the past four out of five years, launches in South Africa. Justin Sampson appointed CEO.

"M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment has well established offices in the UK, USA, Australia and Europe. Africa was the next logical step. The passionate fans shouting for Bafana Bafana, the Proteas and the Boks or going gaga for Lady Gaga, makes South Africa a prime market for clients wanting to leverage their sponsorship strategy as part of their marketing mix" said Steve Martin, Global CEO of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, at the launch in JHB today.

"In fact, Mike Abel played a key role in establishing M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment in Sydney whilst heading up M&C Saatchi in Australia, before returning to SA."

"We take a creative approach to sponsorship. Traditional sport and entertainment sponsorship delivers exposure. But at M&C Saatchi sponsorship is not about exposure, it's about engagement. Our fundamental belief is that without engagement, sponsorship is meaningless. People only act if they understand and only by engaging with them can we provide meaning to a sponsorship" said Martin.

South African sports marketing, consulting and events guru, Justin Sampson, has been appointed CEO of M&C Saatchi News, Sport & Entertainment.

"I am thrilled and excited to be given the opportunity by M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment and M&C Saatchi Abel to establish a sponsorship agency in South Africa. With these 2 Brands and their incredible track records, allied to what I can 'hopefully' bring to the table, we can establish something new and fresh that changes the landscape of the sponsorship industry in South Africa" outlined Justin.

"Every new agency says they are going to be different and we are no different in saying this! However this is all we will have in common with other sponsorship agencies in South Africa and this is why:
* We will be the only South African sponsorship agency with a global footprint - M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment with 5 offices around the world, will be actively involved in our day to day service offering and will give us direct access to best practices and great case studies
* We have a strong foundation and 'parent' in South Africa in M&C Saatchi Abel. They will provide a strategic foundation to our business.
* We will use PR as a powerful means to amplify and extend our clients' activity in the worlds of sport and entertainment by engaging traditional media and generating conversation amongst fans via social channels. Heavy emphasis will be placed on the creation of highly credible, owned content - whether this is an event, an experience, an online film, a TV series, a promotion etc. This great content, combined with expert PR knowledge and second to none contacts, is what we believe will help set us apart and generate results for our sport and entertainment clients."

"Having the right partnerships and people in place when we open our doors on 1 November 2012, will allow us to hit the ground running.I am delighted to announce that Jo-Ann Strauss and Joel Stransky will be associates of M&C Saatchi N,S&E. Collectively they bring immeasurable expertise and contacts in the sport, eventing, sponsorship and PR domains. Their relationships with a broad spectrum of key media and influencers, makes them an invaluable asset to our new venture" concluded Sampson.

Issued by: Bill Stephens - Executive Consultant PR
T +27 21 421 1024. M +27 82 558 9761
E-mail: bill.stephens@mcsaatchiabel.co.za