Lean Mean Fighting Machine Joins M&C Saatchi

Photo, left to right: Dave Cox, Dave Bedwood, Tom Bazeley, Sam Ball

Lean Mean Fighting Machine – the unconventional, multi award-winning digital agency founded in 2004 – has announced it will be joining the M&C Saatchi UK Group. The digital specialists will be integrated into the heart of the flagship London office to create a formidable creative proposition.

The only UK agency to win Digital Agency of the Year at Cannes, Lean Mean Fighting Machine’s strategic move will see the whole agency – the founders, Sam Ball, Tom Bazeley, Dave Bedwood and Dave Cox and their entire staff – join M&C Saatchi from June 2014.

Lean Mean Fighting Machine’s portfolio of clients, which includes Unilever, De Beers and the newly acquired Land Rover account, will move to M&C Saatchi with the agency, where they will be able to take advantage of M&C Saatchi’s global footprint.

Tom Bazeley, Managing Partner at Lean Mean Fighting Machine, said: “It's only my wife's persistence that has stopped me tattooing the Lean Mean Fighting Machine logo up my arm. I love this agency like a weird adopted child, but after ten years the time feels right to mix things up a bit. Joining M&C Saatchi will allow us to keep our spirit but practice on a bigger stage. Just like Lean Mean Fighting Machine, M&C Saatchi is a challenger brand – albeit on a much grander scale – and it’s exciting to be jumping into the middle of such a well known agency.”

Lisa Thomas, CEO at M&C Saatchi UK, added: “Lean Mean Fighting Machine’s sense of adventure and innovation perfectly complement M&C Saatchi’s entrepreneurial spirit.  Likewise, their industry defining skills across all digital channels will augment our extensive digital capabilities, allowing us to unlock more creative opportunities for our clients.”

Lean Mean Fighting Machine has produced award-winning work for a range of brands over the years including Virgin, Emirates, Unilever, Strongbow and Samsung. The agency was born with, what was then, a pioneering formula of getting traditional creatives to work alongside developers. M&C Saatchi UK Group has bought 100% of the digital agency.