Dani Bassil named CEO of M&C Saatchi Group as APAC boss Justin Graham prepares to depart

M&C Saatchi has announced the appointment of Clemenger BBDO CEO Dani Bassil as chief executive of its Australia and New Zealand operations, with long-serving APAC CEO Justin Graham set to step down later this year.

The newly created role will see Bassil take responsibility for the group’s advertising, consulting, passions and PR businesses across Australia and New Zealand, including its sport and entertainment division. She will officially join in August 2025.

Bassil served as CEO of Clemenger BBDO Australia for more than two years and brings extensive global experience across creative, digital and consulting roles. Her career includes leadership stints at Publicis’ Digitas UK, WPP’s JWT UK and time at Grey, Wieden+Kennedy, VCCP and Mother. She began her career at Ogilvy Sydney.

“I’ve admired the M&C Saatchi brand for as long as I can remember,” Bassil said. “To be able to bring all of my experience in brand, consulting, media and digital together to lead this group of incredible businesses is so exciting for me.

“How we drive value and growth for clients through strategic thinking and cut through with powerful creative and brand ideas is what I get out of bed for, and there’s no better agency brand than M&C Saatchi to partner with clients to achieve this. I can’t wait to get started.”

Global CEO Zaid Al-Qassab welcomed the appointment.

“I’m excited to welcome Dani to the helm of our Australia and New Zealand businesses. Her broad leadership experience and client centric approach will power the agency forward, and her vast digital expertise is what’s most needed in the next phase of our journey to give brands Cultural Power,” Al-Qassab said.

Bassil will lead a team including Steve Coll, Tanya Vragalis, Jenn Butler, Benjamin Harrison and Jen Hegarty, all of whom will report directly to her.

Graham, who joined M&C Saatchi from Droga5 in 2013, will remain in his current role for the coming months to support Bassil’s transition and oversee the handover. As part of a broader strategic realignment, the Asia business will shift to be led out of Singapore.

Across his 12 years at the agency, Graham has held multiple leadership roles, including six years as chief strategy officer for Australia, before being appointed CEO of the AUNZ business in 2020. He later moved into global advertising leadership and was named APAC CEO in 2022.

“It has been a privilege to lead the exceptional M&C Saatchi teams locally and around the network over my time; as a self-professed life learner, it's been a ride,” Graham said.

“I’m grateful to Zaid and all the brilliant people I have been fortunate to partner with over the years; my immediate focus is to set up Australia and the key markets in the region for ongoing success.”

Al-Qassab praised Graham’s impact on the agency.

“Justin has played a critical role at M&C Saatchi, first as a chief strategist, then successful CEO, and most recently leading our APAC region. He has been a brilliant partner, and whilst I will miss working with him, I am grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”

Graham will continue in his roles with the Advertising Council Australia and social impact organisation Unltd.