Saatchi & Saatchi celebrate 40th anniversary with huge party

September 7, 2010

The most famous advertising agency in the world celebrates its 40th anniversary this week and is planning one hell of a party.

Saatchi & Saatchi, created by brothers Charles and Maurice Saatchi, are well known for throwing extravagant office parties – in 1989, the company hired Alexandra Palace for their Christmas party and recreated the whole of its Charlotte Street offices inside.

Over the years, the agency has been credited with everything from putting and keeping Margaret Thatcher in power to creating legendary adverts.

Chris Harris, managing director of the ad agency Leagas Delaney, said, “The chances are, if you stop anyone in the street and ask them to name an advertising agency, the only one they'll know is Saatchi and Saatchi.”

This week, their 40 years in the business is being celebrated with a huge party. In a move that has surprised many, the agency is throwing the bash at the Saatchi Gallery – which is owned by Charles, who famously fell out with his brother in 1994 after a shareholder rebellion.

Maurice Saatchi said, “It is the most unlikely coalition since the present government. After the bitterness of the Saatchi wars, any publisher would turn this story down as completely incredible. It only goes to show that nothing is impossible,” he added.