M+C Saatchi has appointed Sophie Gallagher as Group Strategy Director, strengthening its Connections Strategy offer. Gallagher, an award-winning strategist with experience across journalism, publishing, and agencies, will lead integrated campaigns for global brands. She is also a mentor and industry advocate, recognised for her leadership and creativity across Australia’s communications landscape.
M+C Saatchi has announced the appointment of Sophie Gallagher as Group Strategy Director, a move that signals the agency’s intent to deepen its integrated approach to media and creative. Gallagher, whose career spans journalism, publishing, client-side roles and agency leadership, brings more than a decade of experience working with some of the world’s most recognised brands. Her arrival is being hailed as a significant moment for the agency, which has long prided itself on shaping how Australian brands connect with audiences and culture.
Gallagher’s portfolio is both diverse and decorated. She has worked with Samsung, Compare Club, Universal, Sony, Audi, LVMH, The University of Sydney, and Ingham’s, delivering campaigns that have earned recognition at Cannes Lions, Effies, Spikes, AWARD, AGDA, and the MFA. Her most recent role was Strategy Director at Clemenger BBDO, following earlier positions at Slingshot Media Ventures and News Corp. This breadth of experience across sectors and disciplines has given her a unique perspective on how creativity and media can combine to influence behaviour and deliver business results.
In her new role, Gallagher will lead M+C Saatchi’s Connections Strategy offer, ensuring that media and creative are seamlessly integrated. The ambition is clear: to influence audiences, impact culture, and deliver tangible outcomes for clients. She will work across the agency’s portfolio to identify the most effective ways to bring ideas to life, ensuring that campaigns are not only imaginative but also strategically grounded.
Speaking about her appointment, Gallagher expressed her enthusiasm for joining an agency with such a storied legacy. “I am thrilled to be joining M+C Saatchi, an iconic agency that has continually shaped how Australian brands have influenced people’s lives. This is a pivotal time in our industry, where media and creative must work hand in hand to drive impact and influence. I am so excited to work with M+C to bring this dynamic combination to clients, and create more work that drives trust, engagement and results.”
Her arrival has been warmly welcomed by Simon Wassef, Group Chief Strategy Officer at M+C Saatchi, who described Gallagher as “a gun – the best connections strategist in the market.” He added: “She has the rare gift of being able to combine big strategy optimism with real strategy pragmatism. Her ideas are exciting and they work bloody hard. She’s chosen M+C as the place to wield her talent, elevate our work, push the industry forward and help our clients grow. Let’s enjoy the show.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Gallagher has established herself as a champion for the next generation of talent. She leads Assisterhood NSW, a mentorship programme designed to support underrepresented communications professionals. Under her leadership, mentor participation grew by 42% year-on-year, underscoring her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Her advocacy has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, Gallagher was a finalist in the B&T Women in Media Awards for Strategy and was named as “one to watch for the future” in B&T’s Best of the Best Media Agency Strategy Chief’s list. She also serves as an industry mentor for the Media Federation of Australia’s NGEN programme, guiding emerging professionals as they navigate the complexities of the communications landscape.
Gallagher is a regular speaker at industry events, including MFA EX and Little Black Book Monthly Cut, where she shares insights on the power of creativity and connection. Her thought leadership reflects a belief that strategy must not only serve business objectives but also resonate with audiences on a cultural and emotional level.
Her appointment comes at a time when agencies are increasingly challenged to deliver integrated solutions that cut through fragmented media environments. The convergence of creative and media is no longer optional but essential, and Gallagher’s expertise positions M+C Saatchi to lead in this space. By combining her strategic acumen with a passion for mentorship and industry advocacy, she embodies the qualities needed to drive both immediate impact and long-term change.
For M+C Saatchi, Gallagher’s arrival is more than a senior hire; it is a statement of intent. The agency is investing in talent that can bridge disciplines, elevate creativity, and ensure that campaigns are not only award-winning but also commercially effective. Gallagher’s track record suggests she is well placed to deliver on this ambition, bringing both optimism and pragmatism to the role.
Her career trajectory illustrates the value of versatility in communications. From her early days in journalism and publishing to her leadership roles in agencies, Gallagher has consistently demonstrated an ability to adapt, innovate, and inspire. This adaptability will be crucial as she takes on the challenge of leading Connections Strategy in an era defined by rapid technological change and shifting consumer expectations.
The industry will be watching closely as Gallagher begins her tenure at M+C Saatchi. With her blend of creativity, strategic rigour, and commitment to mentorship, she represents a new generation of leaders who are reshaping the communications landscape. Her appointment reinforces the agency’s reputation as a place where talent thrives and where the future of integrated campaigns is being written.
As Gallagher herself noted, this is a pivotal time for the industry. The integration of media and creative is not simply a structural change but a philosophical one, requiring agencies to think differently about how they engage audiences and deliver value. With Gallagher at the helm of Connections Strategy, M+C Saatchi is positioning itself to not only meet this challenge but to set the standard for others to follow.
In welcoming Sophie Gallagher, M+C Saatchi has gained more than a strategist; it has gained a leader, mentor, and advocate whose influence will extend beyond the agency’s walls. Her appointment is a reminder that the future of communications lies in the intersection of creativity, strategy, and connection – and that those who can master this intersection will shape the industry for years to come.
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