Saatchi & Saatchi Australia and New Zealand today announced the appointment of Leif Stromnes as Chief Strategy Officer, a critical role that will shape the agency’s future-facing strategic vision.

In Australia, Stromnes will lead a team of senior strategists based in Melbourne and Sydney, driving results-focused strategies that deliver measurable growth and impact for clients. He will also champion innovation in communications planning and the application of AI, partnering closely with Chief Creative Officers Mandie van der Merwe and Avish Gordhan.

Patrick Rowe, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, said: “Strategy is the foundation of everything we do, and Leif brings a wealth of experience and a future-focused mindset that will help us unlock even greater creative impact for our clients. His leadership will ensure we continue to deliver bold, innovative solutions that embody our belief that ‘Nothing is Impossible’. Plus, he’s a lovely human and a lot of fun. We’re excited to have him as part of our team.”

Stromnes is an award-winning strategy leader with more than 30 years’ experience across South Africa, Australia, Asia and the US. Throughout his career, he has shaped strategies for some of the world’s most recognised brands, including Unilever, McDonald’s, Arnott’s, Tourism Australia, Westpac, Virgin Airlines, Volkswagen, Coles, Mars, Kmart and Telstra.

On his appointment, Stromnes said: “I’m thrilled to be joining such a storied and acclaimed creative agency in our region. I have long been an admirer of the consistently high bar that Saatchi & Saatchi has set, and with the power of Publicis Groupe behind us, I’m excited to see how we can truly unlock the ‘Nothing is Impossible’ mantra for our clients and business."

His appointment reflects Saatchi & Saatchi Australia’s significant investment in its strategic offering, following a year of award wins, with eight Australian Effie Awards including the prestigious Colin Wilson-Brown award.

Stromnes’ remit will also see him have a leadership role in New Zealand, partnering with Saatchi & Saatchi NZ’s Executive Strategy Director Tim Cullihane and team.