Tribal DDB National ECD David ‘Jacko’ Jackson departs DDB Group Australia after seven years

Just as his work RooBadge secured its Cannes Lions haul, which helped DDB win Regional Agency of the Year, David ‘Jacko’ Jackson has departed DDB to work on personal projects and look for a new pub.

Jackson arrived at DDB seven years ago as a Creative Partner, working across clients including Virgin Australia, Foxtel, Volkswagen, and Johnson & Johnson. Three and a half years ago, he stepped up to lead Tribal DDB as National Executive Creative Director.

Jackson’s award-winning highlights at DDB included Gold Cannes Lions for helping fans mourn at Foxtel’s Grave of Thrones and gamifying commercials with Golf Adbreak Championships, a D&AD pencil for flying a wig across Australia in Virgin’s “Up, Up and Toupée” brand spot, and a Silver Cannes Lion for preventing kangaroo collisions with Volkswagen’s RooBadge innovation.

As National Executive Creative Director of Tribal DDB, Jackson led the rebuild of the agency from a team of four to nearly 50 people. The agency was named Campaign Asia’s Digital Agency of the Year under his creative direction before it was folded back into DDB Group.

Says Jackson: “Working at DDB has been a fantastic experience. I have had the opportunity to work with amazing people, many of whom I now call true friends. Some of my best memories here are celebrating our Agency of the Year wins together as a team – we did have some epic parties. I’ve been fortunate to work under legendary CCOs Ben Welsh, Tara Ford, and Stephen de Wolf, and I’ve watched Matt Chandler rise through the ranks to become CCO, so the creative department is in great hands. What do they say? Go out a winner? Couldn’t agree more.”

Jackson adds: “Honestly, after 7 years I know the Glebe Hotel menu by heart, so it’s definitely time to find a new work pub.”

Says Matt Chandler, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Group Australia: “As anyone who’s ever worked with him (or been within ear shot) knows, there’s really no one else like Jacko; part creative director, part art director, part producer, part mad scientist – complete original. His unique combination of skills, paired with his utter relentlessness resulted in some of DDB Sydney’s most innovative and awarded work. I count myself very lucky to have come across his unique brand of genius, and I know so many people who’ve been here during Jacko’s tenure would attest to the same. We’ll miss his big brain and his big heart – but I know there’ll be more Jacko brilliance in the world before long.”

Among his upcoming projects, Jackson is working on a creative innovation alongside Sport Access Foundation, aimed at breaking down barriers for children with disabilities in sport.

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