Updated: Saatchi Poaches Top Creative Team From TBWA\Chiat\Day

TBWA\Chiat\Day creative team Margaret Keene and Chris Adams are the new creative leaders of Saatchi & Saatchi’s office in Torrance, Calif., Saatchi has confirmed.

Margaret Keene and Chris Adams were group creative directors at the Playa del Rey, Calif., office of Omnicom Group’s TBWA\Chiat\Day. At Publicis Groupe’s Saatchi, they will lead a department of more than 70 creatives as co-executive creative directors.

The hire fills the vacancy created in December when Saatchi Torrance ecd Mike McKay left to become ecd of Omnicom Group’s BBDO in San Francisco.

With the move, Keene and Adams are trading a leading role on key TBWA\C\D client Nissan for stewardship of Toyota, the cornerstone account of Saatchi Torrance and the shop’s second-largest global client after Procter & Gamble.

“Margaret and Chris exhibit the collaborative style and creative pedigree essential to generating transformational ideas,” said Chuck Maguy, president of Saatchi in Torrance. “They are the leaders we need to deliver great work for Toyota and partner in our new business efforts.”

TBWA\C\D chief creative officer Rob Schwartz will absorb the duo’s duties on Nissan while he seeks new talent to fill the role, an agency representative said. Keene and Adams were among eight or nine group creative directors in the office.

Beyond Nissan, Keene and Adams also worked on Mars’ Pedigree brand, creating a 2009 spot that featured a rhinoceros, hog and water buffalo. The spot, “Crazy Pets,” broke during the Super Bowl. The team’s other brand experience includes Apple, Whiskas, Taco Bell and Levi’s.