He is to be replaced on October 1 by agency novice Jim O'Mahony. He is a Brit who formerly worked for the brewer Lion Nathan, where he handled the Tooheys beer brand.
O'Mahony has admitted he will be on a steep learning curve, never having worked for an agency before, but according to Kevin Roberts, global head of Saatchi & Saatchi, he has earned his credentials in the beer business, which is "driven by advertising and brands".
Roberts informed agency staff of the change yesterday while in Australia to meet clients and attend an advertising awards ceremony.
According to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, Ansell is leaving Saatchi & Saatchi because he preferred the client side of the advertising business. "I like the detail. I like digging deep," he said.
At Mars, he will be responsible for brands including Pedigree Pal, Chum and Whiskas.
O'Mahony left the UK for Australia in 1991 and was most recently chief executive of Ainsworth Game Technology. He has also worked for Toyota in the UK.
Saatchi & Saatchi last week won the Old El Paso advertising account in Australia, but is still seeking to replace the hole created when it lost the 拢1.7m NRMA road service account in June.
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