Brown promoted to CEO of DDB Group Australia; Little to managing director of DDB Australia

The DDB Group in Australia is transforming its Sydney and Melbourne state based structure and operating model to create a stronger national offering with the official launch of DDB Group Australia. The integrated national offering gives the highly successful state-based operations a weighty national market presence and ensures a stronger and more seamless offering within the diverse Australian communications landscape.

In response to the new national model there will also be a senior management restructure. Chris Brown (above left) has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of DDB Group Australia, overseeing DDB, RAPP, Mango, Tribal DDB and DDB Remedy nationally, reporting into Marty O’Halloran. Andrew Little (above right) will take the role of Managing Director of DDB Australia, assuming responsibility for the creative DDB agency. Marty O’Halloran’s role as Chairman of Australia and New Zealand (above centre) does not change.

Says O’Halloran: “We have grown significantly over the past five years and have two very successful offices in both Sydney and Melbourne with over 400 staff working on some of the best and biggest brands in the country. Under Chris and Andrew’s leadership both agencies have won numerous Agency of the Year Awards and created some outstanding campaigns for our clients.

“Recently we’ve witnessed what could be achieved when you combine the talent, resource and intellect of our Sydney and Melbourne operations, not only with the recent win of Westpac but also how we manage the Telstra account nationally. We are firmly committed to investing in both offices and continuing to have a strong physical presence in each region, however, the ability to integrate the offering more effectively and seamlessly on a national basis for our clients is both powerful and timely.”

Says Brown: “This change marks an evolution of the group to an operating model that will drive greater growth and innovation over the next three years. The industry is changing rapidly with the increasing focus on technology and data in all that we do. This is influencing not only our output but also how we are structured.

“We have an enviable line up of brands within our Group and the new model will ensure we grow our shared services in technology, social, data and analytics, retain a broader range of skill sets across the business and invest in new roles ahead of our competition. Importantly, we are also looking at a number of strategic partnerships and acquisition opportunities to complement what we build ourselves.”

Says Little, who will relocate to Sydney: “It is a truly fantastic honour to lead the DDB Agency in Australia. We work with amazing clients and have arguably the strongest line up of talent of any agency in Australia. After 15 years in Melbourne, my family and I are looking forward to moving to Sydney but I’ll be back in Melbourne often. I am really looking forward to working with the senior management of both offices and continuing the growth trajectory of the last few years.”

Adds O’Halloran: “Chris and Andrew are both outstanding modern business leaders that have now been part of my team for over 10 years and they both have great experience in running large integrated offices and I am excited about their combined vision for the future direction of DDB Group Australia.”