I was going to write about the imminent merger of the Lowe Group
and Ammirati Puris Lintas, but as I’ve been consistently ridiculed by
top brass for even suggesting such a measure was on the cards, I don’t
believe that there is an Interpublic board meeting next Tuesday to
rubber-stamp the deal. And (because I’d hate to accuse anyone in
advertising of ever lying to me), if it’s not true I’d be silly to write
about it.
Almost as silly as to write about IPG and MacManus. Fortunately, my
fellow columnist, Caroline Marshall, is more cynical (see p14) than
me.
Instead I’d like to discuss the man with more new friends even than the
Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe foursome. They may have a stash, but what’s
cash when the new Football Association chief executive, Adam Crozier,
can get you into Wembley for England v Scotland, or (if you’re mad) even
Hampden Park? What a great job. Forget Graham Kelly. Although both
happen to be football nuts, Crozier is the chief executive for the
media-savvy age; businessman not administrator. The FA knows it must
wise up to the big business era - you only have to look at the farcical
legal wrangle over a share of TV money involving the former Sky
executives, Sam Chisholm and David Chance. It’s a bold appointment, and
a big job.
Crozier will be used to that. Five years ago when he and Tamara Ingram
stepped into the massive management breach that was left by the Maurice
Saatchi breakaway, Charlotte Street was teetering on the brink. The
client and staff exodus was bad enough, but then there was the
demoralising suggestion of being the ’old’ Saatchi, and the
extraordinary rise of M&C to contend with.
Jennifer Laing came and went - and in between they formed scarcely the
most harmonious trio in town. Unquestionably, the business has
stabilised.
Although the agency has of late done badly out of recent international
realignments and the loss of the National Lottery, the Sony win and the
ever-strengthening relationship with Procter & Gamble are real
positives.
Then there was the creative issue, slightly fudged at first by having
several creative directors until Adam Kean emerged from the pack. As for
the work, when Saatchis was good, it was very, very good (Army, Nurses,
NSPCC) and when it was bad, it was horrid (Visa ’kerching’, Norwich
Union, some Toyota, some Tetley’s). Meanwhile, Dave Droga’s arrival has
been a breath of fresh air.
The job’s not done, but it would never be finished by Crozier. Saatchis
now needs a chairman who is a ’player’ in wider circles. Ironically,
perhaps, Crozier has always been a slightly unlikely frontman, a bit
press-shy and evasive. He’ll have to change quickly at Lancaster Gate,
but he, and his achievements at Charlotte Street, are not to be
underestimated.
stefano.hatfield@haynet.com
Have your say at www.campaignlive.com on channel 4.
