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Reviving an icon

Claire Hollands on agency brands, client centricity and building a culture of ‘we’
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Episode 85 - Claire Hollands

Today’s guest is Claire Hollands, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, one of the most iconic agency brands in advertising.

Claire unpacks how she revitalised this “legacy brand” by giving its most famous belief – ‘Nothing is impossible’ – renewed meaning for a more client-centric age.

She describes creating an operating model around realising impossible ambitions – from seeking clients at transformative moments to setting a clearer creative standard and giving every employee their own ‘impossible ambition’.

Claire explains why strong agency brands still matter – not least within holding companies – including how Saatchis acts as a doorway into the wider Publicis offering.

She also reflects on letting go of leadership ego, building a more inclusive culture, and why creativity and human intelligence remain fundamental to driving business growth.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:47] Rediscovering Saatchis’ DNA

[10:01] Agencies as change agents

[13:39] Strategy drives the proposition

[14:54] Relevance through differentiation

[19:20] Power in the collective

[25:01] Bringing 'Nothing Is Impossible' back

[29:40] Inclusivity over sub tribes

[30:20] Creating a 'We' culture