New Saatchi seeks home for bigger family

New Saatchi, the advertising agency set up by Maurice Saatchi following his ouster from his renowned former company, is seeking new headquarters in London.

The agency, at present in Mayfair, has a list of 10 potential sites in central London. It intends to add new staff, currently standing at 40, if it wins substantial new business. It has pitched for three big accounts - British Airways, Dixons and Royal Mail.

New Saatchi has already signed Gallaher, the cigarette company that makes the Silk Cut brand, and Mirror Group.

Senior executives who left Saatchi & Saatchi after Maurice Saatchi's departure have not yet set up offices at the Mayfair address, pending a ruling in a case now before courts over their contractual obligations to their former firm.

Bill Muirhead, former US-based executive of the agency, and David Kershaw, former chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi in London, have indicated their intention to join New Saatchi.

The BA account is to be decided by May. Both New Saatchi and Cordiant, the new name for the Saatchi & Saatchi holding company, have been shortlisted.