Chief strategy officer Carl Ratcliff departs DDB Sydney
DDB Sydney chief strategy officer, Carl Ratcliff, has departed the agency after 18 months in the role.
Ratcliff told Mumbrella he has ‘a few things bubbling’ to be announced in the future.
“I have a few things bubbling which I’ll be thrilled to talk about in due course. Meanwhile, I have enjoyed the great work DDB Planning has achieved in the last couple of years – notably its Effie haul last year and APG shortlist, at the start of this. They are the brightest sparks. I wish them and the entire group, well,” Ratcliff said.
Ratcliff joined DDB Sydney from One Green Bean
The last two years at DDB Sydney has seen the agency make several changes to its senior leadership. Managing director Priya Patel joined the business in June 2018, replacing former DDB Sydney CEO, Nicole Taylor, who moved to McCann for a stint as CEO (before moving overseas at the end of last year to join DDB Group bespoke agency C14torce). Ratcliff replaced former CSO Fran Clayton, who also departed DDB Sydney for McCann with Taylor.
Meanwhile on the creative side of the business, Tara Ford was promoted from executive creative director to chief creative officer last year, following Sydney CCO Ben Welsh adding the Melbourne office to his remit. Chief creative officer of DDB New Zealand, Damon Stapleton, was elevated to AUNZ chief creative officer in July last year.
In a statement to Mumbrella, Patel thanked Ratcliff for his contribution to the agency.
“We thank Carl Ratcliff for his contribution to the DDB business and wish him all the best in the future,” she said.
Ratcliff joined DDB Sydney in October 2018 after stepping down as CEO of Havas-owned public relations agency One Green Bean, citing a his desire to pursue his “passion for creative thinking”.
Ratcliff spent three and a half years at One Green Bean, proceeded by his time as CEO of Naked Communications. Prior to that, he was managing director at BWM Dentsu.
