M+C Saatchi strengthens global MAKE+ network

Agency builds flexible production model for brands

M+C Saatchi North America has expanded MAKE+, its AI-enabled production offering, as the agency network responds to growing demand for scalable content production across markets and platforms. The move includes leadership changes designed to support the continued growth of the production business.

Christopher McLallen has been promoted to oversee integrated production across North America, reporting to North America CEO Nadja Bellan-White and Regional Chief Creative Officer Stevie Archer. At the same time, John Swartz has been appointed Global Head of Production, where he will lead the international expansion of MAKE+ across the agency's global network.

Production business records strong growth

MAKE+ has grown over the past year into a production capability that supports clients across advertising, consultancy, experiential, strategic communications and social content. The expansion forms part of M+C Saatchi North America's wider investment in integrated client services.

According to the agency, production revenue in 2025 increased to more than three times the level recorded the previous year, with a further 30 percent growth forecast for 2026.

Nadja Bellan-White, North America CEO, M+C Saatchi: "As production becomes increasingly central to how brands operate and communicate, MAKE+ has become a critical part of our growth story in North America. Clients need partners who can move quickly, operate globally, and deliver high-quality work at scale without compromising craft. Christopher and John have helped build that future-facing production ecosystem, and I'm excited to see how they'll continue its ascent."

Global clients drive MAKE+ expansion

Under the leadership of McLallen and Swartz, MAKE+ has supported clients including JPMorganChase, L'Oréal, Elizabeth Arden, Barclays and US Soccer.

Recent projects have included the development of an AI-driven production system for L'Oréal to generate localised content across multiple markets, global production support for Elizabeth Arden across China, North America and the UK, and a centralised production framework for JPMorganChase covering nine international markets.

Flexible production model

The agency says MAKE+ has been structured to provide production services independently from its broader creative offering. Clients can engage the team directly through embedded production support and white-label partnerships.

Christopher McLallen, Head of Integrated Production, North America, M+C Saatchi: "Clients need more flexibility today, and we've intentionally built MAKE+ to operate differently from the large production networks in the market. Sometimes that means building internally, sometimes it means tapping specialist expertise, and often it's a combination of both. Our focus has been creating a production model that scales efficiently while still protecting craft and creative quality."

Supporting in-house client teams

The expansion comes as more brands invest in their own internal production capabilities, creating demand for flexible external support models.

John Swartz, Global Head of Production, M+C Saatchi: "We're seeing more clients build out their own internal production capabilities, and MAKE+ is designed to support that shift rather than compete against it. Because we operate as a connected global network, we can act as an extension of a client's in-house team while also giving them access to talent and production capabilities across multiple markets, allowing us to move faster and more efficiently than our competitors."

Before his global appointment, Swartz led production operations for M+C Saatchi North America. He joined the agency's SS+K business in 2010 as Head of Production and Creative Operations and helped establish North America as the network's largest production market.

McLallen joined M+C Saatchi North America in 2024 as Executive Producer and Head of Content Production. He has more than two decades of experience across photography, film, digital and social content, with work recognised by Cannes Lions, the Clio Awards, the Webby Awards and the Art Directors Club.

www.mcsaatchi.com

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