DDB Sydney snares M&C Saatchi creative director Ant Melder for creative partner role
DDB Sydney has announced the appointment of Ant Melder to the position of creative partner. Melder is the sixth senior creative partner hire for DDB Sydney chief creative, Toby Talbot. He joins from M&C Saatchi Sydney where he’s been a creative director since 2013.
Says Talbot: “We are delighted to welcome Ant to the family. I have watched his career for years. He’s an accomplished writer and a lovely bloke to boot. He really is a perfect fit for DDB when you think about Bernbach’s ‘talented but nice’ philosophy. But there’s a sharpness there too, ‘Game of Balls’ being a great example of his ability to think differently.”
Melder’s work has been recognised at Cannes, D&AD, One Show, Clios, Spikes and Webbys.
Says Talbot: “Many of our biggest clients are market leaders in their category. Ant is best in class too as one of the most accomplished creatives in the country. Together, I believe we will benefit hugely from Ant’s experience.”
Melder is a London native who first came to Sydney in the ’90s and started his advertising career at VCD under George Betsis and Siimon Reynolds.
Returning to London a few years later, Melder worked across advertising, digital, activations and retail at agencies including M&C Saatchi, Wunderman, Saatchi & Saatchi, Saatchi X and Iris Worldwide.
Melder was a CD in London for over five years before moving back to Australia in 2013 where he joined M&C Saatchi Sydney as a creative director. During his time at M&C he co-led the Optus business and created award-winning anti-smoking campaigns for QUIT.
Melder’s most recent award success is the globally talked-about PSA-in-a-porn-film, Game of Balls for the Blue Ball Foundation. The audacious testicular cancer awareness project has been viewed over ten million times and has picked up a Cannes Lion, silver Clio, seven Spikes, five ADMA ACEs and five LIA awards so far.
Says Melder: “There’s a definite buzz around DDB right now. It’s packed with brilliantly talented people doing world class work for iconic brands. Which is as it should be considering this is the agency that invented good advertising. Unfortunately, Toby’s a Chelsea supporter but, putting that to one side, I can’t wait to get stuck in, be part of it and help create work that blends ideas and innovation – work that has its finger on the pulse and a real beating heart.”
Melder is passionate about developing the next generation of creative talent and has taught both D&AD workshops in London and AWARD School in Sydney. He also writes a creative blog, Ant’s Melderings (https://antmelder.wordpress.com), has written about creativity for several industry and mainstream publications
Melder commences with DDB Sydney effective January 4, 2016.
18 Comments
Congrats Ant! Fab news for DDB and couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!
A top, top geezer, and he really is a geezer.
An absolute pleasure to have worked with you mate.
Andy.
Did Siiiiimon say “hands on hips”?
Congrats Ant. Great work should come from collaboration and inclusiveness. DDB Sydney is crafting a mature business culture and it’s great to see you add your wisdom and calmness to their ideals.
Hey Toby – it’s Talented AND nice, not Talented BUT Nice!
Exciting to hear this talented, creative and brilliant guy is moving to the DDB stable. Big fan of Ant’s blog and he is a nice bloke to boot.
He’s the nicest and the best, ddb couldn’t have done better.
I have never met a person more passionate about his career. Definitely a big gain for DDB. Congrats and enjoy your new role Ant.
I have never met a person more passionate about what he does. Definitely a big gain for DDB. Congrats and enjoy your new role Ant.
One of the industry’s all-time best & fairest, and a writer who actually writes. Great catch.
How can you be a creative partner if you don’t own the agency?
Nothing more than you deserve! Congratulations Ant.
I worked with ant in London and he’s a brilliant creative and really collaborative. Lucky ddb!
Well done DDB for snaring the talented Ant. Sounds like a great match. Exciting things to come
What a fine fellow is Ant.
Good for you mate.
Q: How many rocket scientists does it take to change a lightbulb?
DDB: How many would you like?
Not sure ‘nice’ is relevant in an industry that’s results driven. That said, ditto to all of the above. I’ve not only had the privilege of working with Ant Melder witnessing his charm, wit and kindness first hand, but have followed his blog of insights, pearls of wisdom, shared inspirations, rantings and musings for years. I can’t think of anyone more passionate, obsessed and devoted to ideas, and creating advertising for good, advertising that will change the world than him. Congrats DDB.
Ant, well done!
But call me back, I’ve tried 3 times already, and I know you’ll be reading this.
Nice one geezer.
well done mate!