Denny Handlin departs TikTok for Executive Creative Director role at VaynerMedia Australia
VaynerMedia Australia has appointed industry heavyweight Denny Handlin as its new Executive Creative Director, reinforcing the agency’s mission to lead the charge in integrated social-first marketing as it continues its rapid expansion across Australia and the region.
With over 20 years in the industry, Handlin has led award-winning campaigns, built high-performing creative teams, and developed consumer-first strategies that drive real business impact. Most recently, as Head of Global Business Marketing at TikTok ANZ, he helped shape the platform’s creative direction and spearheaded groundbreaking brand collaborations.
Handlin started out as a copywriter and content designer at Ogilvy Sydney, before joining Clemenger BBDO Sydney in 2012 as a Creative Group Head working on a number of successful campaigns including Whiskas ‘Catstacam’ and Tourism Australia’s ‘There’s Nothing Like Australia’. After over four years with Clemenger, Handlin joined BWM Dentsu (now Dentsu Creative) as Creative Director where helped the agency win
VaynerMedia Australia has scaled rapidly, growing from a start-up to a powerhouse in just four years. Since its inception, the agency has signed some of the world’s biggest brands, including PepsiCo, Carlton United Breweries, and most recently SharkNinja across Australia and New Zealand.
“Denny brings the best of both worlds — a rare blend of big-agency creative expertise and deep platform experience,” says Karen Coleman, Country Manager, Australia. “We’re in our next phase of growth, evolving beyond just great creative and media to a truly integrated, social-first approach that drives business results. Denny is not only an exceptional creative leader but also a builder of high-performance teams and culture — exactly what we need to shape what’s next.”
Says Handlin: “I couldn’t be more excited for this new chapter at VaynerMedia, partnering with world-class clients to put social at the centre of everything we do. The team here is already known for its innovative, creative thinking, and I can’t wait to get started and push the boundaries of what’s possible in this space. I’ve called TikTok my home for nearly five years, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had there. I’ve worked with an immensely talented team and am proud of what we’ve built together. I truly wish them all the best.”
Handlin will report to Karen Coleman, Country Manager, Australia, and Woei Hern Chan, VaynerMedia’s Head of Creative for the Asia Pacific region.
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