New Saatchi hires BA media chief

The New Saatchi Agency has appointed a worldwide media strategist to handle media planning for its new British Airways account and other international business. It is also continuing its search for a UK media director.

David Green, media director of Sydney-based advertising agency Mojo Australia, will move to London in the next six months to supervise global media buying for New Saatchi.

Green will liaise with Optimedia, the media arm of New Saatchi’s international partner, Publicis.

Mojo Australia handles the account for Qantas’ domestic service – the only part of the BA/Qantas business not previously handled by Saatchi & Saatchi.

It is understood New Saatchi will keep strategic media planning for BA in-house and use Optimedia to implement its media buying on the 60m account.

Mojo Australia is a subsidiary of True North, the parent of FCB, which is linked to Publicis through the Publicis FCB ad agency in Europe.

Green will stay in Australia for six months to oversee Qantas International’s move into New Saatchi Australia from Saatchi & Saatchi Australia.

Meanwhile, New Saatchi is understood to be continuing its search for a media director to handle its UK-only accounts. Optimedia managing director John Taylor denies that any of his staff is moving to the new shop.