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Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed Leif Stromnes as its new Chief Strategy Officer for Australia and New Zealand, with his tenure beginning in January 2026.
Stromnes announced the move on LinkedIn, saying, “Joining a new business is always daunting, but the way Saatchi & Saatchi have made me feel through this process confirms I’ve come to the right place.”
In his new role, Stromnes will guide the strategy teams in Sydney and Melbourne. He will work closely with chief creative officers Mandie van der Merwe and Avish Gordhan, overseeing strategic direction, communications planning and the agency’s developing use of AI.
The appointment marks a new chapter in a career that spans more than three decades. Stromnes spent 25 years at DDB Group Australia before leaving in July. He joined DDB in 1999 after moving from South Africa, where he held senior positions at TBWA\Worldwide and Ogilvy.