Michael Lee moves up to CEO role at Saatchi & Saatchi Greater China as Justin Billingsley returns to UK to head Saatchi & Saatchi EMEA

Michael Lee has been promoted to the Chief Executive Office position at Saatchi & Saatchi Greater China replacing current CEO and Chairman of Greater China, Justin Billingsley, who will become Chief Operating Officer for Saatchi & Saatchi across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Billingsley will relocate to London in August to take up the role.

Lee (left), currently President and COO for Greater China, has over 20 years agency experience, most of it in China. He first joined Saatchi in May 2011 as MD for the Shanghai office. He has played a key role in growing Saatchi & Saatchi with a range of new business wins and most recently being awarded ‘Creative Agency of the Year’ by China Advertising Magazine and R3. Saatchi & Saatchi China won the only film Lion awarded to China at the 2013 Cannes Festival of Creativity last week and one of only two film Lions awarded across all Asia.

“It is an honour to lead Saatchi & Saatchi in China,” Lee said “To be Agency of the Year in China is fantastic, now our sights are set on consistently delivering world-class creativity and results for our partners in China.”

In this role Lee will lead the Saatchi & Saatchi offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou with a stellar client roster including P&G, Mondelez, Coca-Cola, Huawei, Lenovo and Lexus. Lee, who is based in Shanghai, will report to Chris Foster, Chairman and CEO for Asia-Pacific, based in Singapore.

“I’m proud that Saatchi & Saatchi in China has never been stronger than it is today and I am equally proud to be handing over to Michael. I have enjoyed our partnership and he is absolutely the right leader to continue the growth and creative momentum we enjoy,” said Billingsley (pictured left).

Kevin Roberts, Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Worldwide said: “Michael is an exceptional creative leader, and China will go from strength to strength under his leadership. Together Michael and Chris will collaborate to drive growth and creativity across Asia. The reunification of Saatchi Asia Pacific with Saatchi & Saatchi’s four offices in Greater China will lead to greater integration and synergy with global clients across the region.”

“The region has 60 per cent of the world’s population, many strong as well as emergent economies, and people who are optimistic about progress and energized by opportunities,” said Foster. “Michael Lee’s appointment is not only pivotal for Saatchi & Saatchi in China, but also influential for the ways in which our region evolves creatively and commercially.”