In the same year the Saatchi brothers formed a new agency called M&C Saatchi.

Early on, the Saatchi brothers determined to build the world's largest advertising agency.

After leaving the company, the Saatchi brothers went on to form their own, competing agency under the name of M&C Saatchi.

From the outset and even as their creative reputation was still forming, the Saatchi brothers set upon a ferocious course of business acquisitions.

"I've got nothing but good things to say about the Saatchi brothers," Mr. Hedger said.

Regarded as the third Saatchi brother when he was finance director of their advertising group, Martin Sorrell decided to branch out on his own in 1985.

The Saatchi brothers, the ad industry's grand acquisitors, have refused comment on the "Macbates" affair.

Temperamentally, the tall and reserved Saatchi brothers were polar opposites to the outspoken Jacoby.

But in the past week, it has become strikingly clear that the Saatchi brothers, Maurice and Charles, have far broader ambitions.

The Saatchi brothers made their names helping Mrs Thatcher to three election victories.