M&C Saatchi has a Young Lion prowling its marbled halls.

Art Director Peter Renigeris and former M&C Saatchi staffer Mietta McFarlane won the coveted Print Cannes Young Lions following an intense competition.

The pair beat the hottest young creative talent in the land, including M&C Saatchi’s Sam Holt and Alex Hederby, for the prize.

They will now take on the world at the International Young Lions comp at the Cannes Festival of Creativity in June.

After making it through the initial round the duo had 24 hours to turn around a brief for The Priceline Sisterhood – a women’s health charity.

The subject was very close to Peter’s heart. His mum lost her battle with breast cancer last year.

“I was very proud to develop work for such an important cause,” he said.

Their execution comprised three ads featuring models with Priceline samples attached on a card adorned with their image.

It is not until the reader pulls back the card that the womens’ illness is revealed: cervical cancer, breast cancer and antenatal depression, and thus the positive impact the product has on their lives.

What makes Peter and Mietta’s feat even more outstanding is the fact they were also finalists in the Digital category, so had 24 hours to turn around not one but two briefs.

“We really focused on finding a great insight and an idea that would translate into print strongly,” Peter said.

“The night was made even more special as we were able to celebrate our win with our colleagues from M&C Saatchi who were there, including Mietta’s dad Tom MacFarlane, Ben Welsh, Michael Andrews and judges Andy Flemming and Chris Little.”

All the best for Cannes team.

 

M&C Saatchi Melbourne has continued its new business run with appointment as lead creative agency to Opel, General Motors’ esteemed German car brand that is about to launch in Australia.

From 1 September cars bearing the Opel badge, with its distinctive lightning logo, will be on sale in Australia for the first time.

We won the business following a competitive pitch.

M&C Saatchi Melbourne Managing Director Jo Rozario said: “It feels great to bring a car account back into the agency.

“Opel is a World Class brand across the globe so it is a real privilege to be involved with the Opel team here to launch and build the brand in Australia.”

Opel Managing Director Bill Mott said: “It was crucial to get the best possible agency partner.

“You only get one shot at launching a new brand into a country.

“M&C Saatchi Melbourne were extremely thorough in their approach and brought well-considered strategy and a number of creative concepts with real cut through to the table.

“Overall, their thinking was top class.”

Opel continues a streak of new account wins for M&C Saatchi Melbourne that includes Slater & Gordon in February and CPA Australia in October.

Well done Jo, Doogie and the team.

The Melbourne success follows M&C Saatchi Australia Group’s appointment as lead creative agency to Australia’s largest bank, Commonwealth Bank and Etihad worldwide, one of the globe’s most progressive airlines, both in February. On 30 March M&C Saatchi was retained as lead creative agency to the giant Optus account.