Nadja Bellan-White, Group CEO of M+C Saatchi Americas, discusses her agency's unique approach to remaining agile in a rapidly changing market. She highlights how M+C Saatchi competes across various disciplines while minimizing overhead through effective strategy sessions. The conversation touches on the impact of AI on talent and pricing, as well as the industry trend towards smaller RFPs. Nadja also shares insights on navigating client relationships and the challenges of being publicly traded in a landscape dominated by private agencies.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Agile Client Engagement Approach
M+C Saatchi North America operates agile, moving at the "speed of culture" with senior, cross-disciplinary teams.
Their approach includes upfront strategy sessions and bespoke client scoping before diving into work.
insights INSIGHT
Clients Value Strategy and Speed
Clients seek agencies that combine creativity with strategic depth to maintain or attain cultural leadership.
M+C Saatchi stands out by providing senior teams that deliver fast, culturally-relevant work.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritize Listening Over Selling
Listen deeply to client needs and don't assume you have all the answers.
Sometimes the best solution is to pause or pivot the approach rather than rush into campaigns.
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Nadja explains how the agency is structured to compete across disciplines—from creative and PR to sports marketing and issues management—while remaining lean and independent. She outlines how the team scopes work through upfront strategy sessions and how a focus on speed, senior talent, and selectivity shapes their client roster.
She also discusses:
Working across time zones and markets without holding company overhead
How M+C Saatchi is experimenting with hybrid and outcome-based pricing
The impact of AI on pricing, talent needs, and critical thinking
What it means to be publicly traded in a market dominated by private peers
How clients are shifting toward smaller RFPs and project-based work
Plus, in our weekly news segment, Brian and Olivia discuss:
Publicis’ continued growth and investment in tech
Omnicom’s increased use of principal-based trading
Accenture’s reported talks with WPP and what it might signal for both firms
How agency models are evolving in response to uncertainty in the U.S. market
Agency Business features agency CEOs and financial decision-makers alongside third party experts including agency pitch consultants. We are always accepting pitches, and are particularly interested in hearing from women and leaders of color.
Agency Business