Global advertising agency M&C Saatchi group has announced the appointment of Robin Clarke as the new global chief executive of its Passions & PR business segment.

In the role, Clarke will oversee M&C Saatchi Group’s sports and entertainment operations, its PR business, and will help to grow the firm by developing the quality of its operations.

Clarke joins the firm from marketing agency 160over90where he had been since 2018, initially serving as senior vice president of international before becoming executive vice president in 2021.

At that agency, a part of the global sports and entertainment giant Endeavor, Clarke had helped to manage its relationships with major clients such as drinks conglomerate AB Inbev, and payments giant Visa, and garnered a large network that he will bring to M&C Saatchi.

M&C Saatci Group global chief executive Zaid Al-Qaasab stated of the hiring: “We are delighted to welcome Robin as the CEO of our Passions & PR specialism. His extensive experience, strategic mindset, and deep industry connections make him the perfect leader to drive our vision forward.

“We are confident that under his guidance, the Passions & PR specialism will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional results for our clients."

Clarke, who will report directly to Al-Qaasab, added: “I am incredibly excited to return to M&C Saatchi and lead the Passions & PR specialism.

“The agency's reputation for creativity and pushing boundaries is second to none, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work with the talented teams to achieve incredible things for our clients.”

Clarke had previously worked at M&C Saatchi between November 2002 and November 2003 as senior business manager, followed by stints at Manning Gottlieb OMD from 2004-2010 (head of Fuse Sport and entertainment), Starcom between 2010 and 2016, (managing director Europe, Middle East, and Asia, and sports), and Publicis Media Sport and entertainment from 2016-2018 (global head).