The strategy board

Ryan Woor
CEO/COO

Ryan is an expert in communications and business operations. He joined M&C Saatchi Talk in 2008 as Chief Operating Officer and in March 2023, transitioned into the role of agency leader.

One of Ryan's notable achievements has been to co-find and subsequently become President of SERMO Communications, our global network of independent communications agencies. 

Having had many of the world’s largest global beauty companies as clients over the years and recognising the importance of giving back to the beauty industry, Ryan took on the pro bono role as a member of the Executive Board of the British Beauty Council and is currently serving his second three-year term. 

Passionate about DE&I and the LGBT community which he proudly belongs to, he was the founding co-chair of M&C Saatchi Proud, an employee lead LGBTQIA+ network with a mission to celebrate and advocate for  queer communities within our Group and have a positive impact on our wider community. 

Prior to his tenure at M&C Saatchi Talk, Ryan honed his skills during a seven-year stint at WPP's Ogilvy Group. Here, he held key positions such as Head of Finance for Ogilvy PR and Business Systems Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In these roles, Ryan orchestrated successful restructuring initiatives, streamlining systems and processes across regional offices to enhance efficiency and drive profitability.

 

Alex Michael
Head of Growth

Alex has 18 years’ agency experience working across multiple disciplines with world famous brands, helping them create effective and award-winning work. His integrated background and idea-first perspective help him approach client challenges from multiple angles and work with teams to create solutions which can travel, earn attention across channels, and spark conversation. He is passionate about work that starts with genuine human and cultural insight and likes to use his cross-channel and sector experience to identify new and interesting solutions for client briefs and challenges.

Prior to joining M&C Saatchi Talk, Alex was on the leadership team at Golin London and led key client business at VCCP Kin and HeyHuman, with brands ranging from finance and insurance, through to youth oriented FMCG.

Outside of M&C Saatchi Talk Alex has a passion for fitness and exercise and failing at DIY projects.

Katie Austin
Head of Talent

As Head of Talent, Katie oversees talent acquisition and development within the agency. She has 12 years’ experience in careers development, having worked with many reputable brands and organisations, including Nestlé, BSkyB, Diageo, American Express, De Beers, the RNIB and RNID.

Katie is passionate about developing talent by offering staff guidance, recommendation and hopefully a little inspiration. Having cut her teeth working within a PR account team, her time in talent has seen her working both in-house and agency-side watching the industry evolve over 15 years. The result is her innate understanding of what’s needed in a candidate and how they can build their career. Katie strives to ensure staff become the best they can be, both as individuals and as part of agency life.

Katie’s other passion is for fitness (specifically running) maintaining it empowers her to tackle work, life, motherhood and life’s curveballs! When not training herself, she takes time out to motivate and mentor others taking their first steps on the running ladder.

Will Cooke
Head of Strategy & Creative

 Will is a strategist with an intrinsic curiosity, collaborative mindset, and intense passion for attention-worthy work. He helps brands take an honest approach to problem solving, exploring creative possibilities, and developing ideas with real potency. Combined with his dedication to create meaningful value for business, brand and audience, he has vast and varied experience within agency, brand, start-up, adtech, and media businesses. This has forged a truly integrated approach to communications.   

He’s been fortunate to have spent a career working with the industry’s smartest thinkers, creative makers and innovative doers, crafting remarkable ideas for some of the world’s most remarkable businesses. From documenting hype culture for tech brands to developing brand strategy for store cupboard staples, turning customer service into a competitive advantage in social, to forming a global network of creative advocates. 

Will is always looking for the insight to ensure that we’re not just seen, but shared and talked about. Outside of M&C Saatchi Talk, Will is a distinctly average surfer, cyclist and cook.

Emily Vassallo
 Business Director

Emily is responsible for leading and driving key client business across M&C Saatchi Talk’s integrated accounts and has over 10 years’ experience creating engaging and integrated comms programmes for big name consumer brands around the world.

Delivering campaigns, press offices and social activations for everyone from Fujifilm to Foot Locker, Homebase and Pukka Pies, Emily is fascinated by the impact of human behaviour on how they interact with brands and how this can be used to open a whole new conversation.

Career highlights include spending a night in a nuclear bunker to launch a video game (not recommended) and creating INSTAX’s House of Joy ball pit bubble bath (highly recommended).

Outside of M&C Saatchi Talk Emily spends most of her time on DIY, searching for puppies and planning her annual Eurovision party.

Hannah Wallace
 Business Director

Hannah joins us with over 15 years’ experience delivering consumer campaigns for some of the biggest UK and global brands including Amazon, Unilever, Cadbury, Nando’s, Warburtons, The National Lottery and B&Q.

She has worked at leading agencies such as freuds, Mischief and Frank PR and has a keen eye for detail along with the experience to deliver large scale integrated campaigns.

Chloe Mitchell
 Business Director

Chloe boasts an impressive career spanning more than fifteen years within the lifestyle industry. Her expertise extends across various sectors such as technology, retail, beauty, travel, food, and homeware. She has worked with a diverse clientele that includes prominent companies like EE, Sephora, Elizabeth Arden, Currys, Sonos, Candy Crush, Johnson & Johnson, Revolution Beauty, and Southern Comfort. Known for her proficiency in public relations consultation, Chloe demonstrates remarkable determination in crafting and executing campaigns tailored to meet critical business goals.