Patrick Pitcher, president and ceo of Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising, Toronto, has been promoted to ceo of Hong Kong-based Saatchi & Saatchi Asia effective Jan. 1.
He also becomes a member of the Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide executive board.
A new president for Saatchi Canada is expected to be named from within the agency network by the end of November.
Pitcher says he expected to be in Canada longer than he has been, but is thrilled with his new appointment.
‘It’s a huge job and a great opportunity, but I am terribly sad to be leaving Canada,’ he says.
Under his guidance, the Toronto agency brought in more new business in 1995 than it had in the previous five years.
Pitcher had been managing director of Saatchi Toronto when he took over as president from Liz Torlee in May 1994.
Before moving to Canada, Pitcher spent 10 years in South Africa, the last two as joint managing director of Saatchi & Saatchi Klerck Barrett.
In Asia, Pitcher is replacing Peter Watkins, who recently announced he is leaving the ad business.
