There’s no business quite like advertising for creating new jobs and titles and the current trend (well one current trend, there are surely others) is appointing a “head of talent,” or some variation on the same theme. The US is doubtless awash with ‘chief talent officers.’
M&C Saatchi has joined the fun, appointing Claire Croft to the head of talent role. Croft joins from Proximity BBDO where she rejoiced in the title of ‘coach and leadership trainer and planning partner,’ which sounds like two jobs.
M&C CEO Tom Bazeley says: “Whilst people may well make the world go round, they also make agencies into brilliant places to work. In this sense, hiring Claire will help grow our people and our agency.”
Croft (left) says: “I’ve always recognised that none of us – whether we’re creatives, strategists, or account handlers – can achieve our full potential alone. I’ve been passionate about helping to nurture and grow the talent in the people around me for several years and I’m really excited to have the opportunity to make this the sole focus of my role at M&C Saatchi, an agency that is bursting with talented people.”
Advertising is indeed a people business although don’t remind Sir Martin Sorrell of the old adage that the assets go up and down each day in the life. Finding and recruiting talent at a certain level is getting harder as the pool of recruits diminishes thanks to agencies getting rid of mid-level people in favour of cheaper youngsters.
But surely it’s the CEO’s job to find the people they want to work with, although training and professional development no doubt require a specialist.
Preferably one who doesn’t see the inevitable response to losing business to be losing people.
