DDB moves Priya Patel to NZ, elevates Andrew Little to regional ANZ role
DDB Group Australia has announced that Andrew Little will take on an expanded remit as regional president and CEO of Australia and New Zealand.
In addition, DDB Sydney managing director Priya Patel has been appointed to the role of CEO for DDB Aotearoa New Zealand, replacing group CEO Justin Mowday, who is leaving to launch The Monkeys in New Zealand. She will be the first female CEO for DDB Group New Zealand, having served in her current role since 2018.
Little joins the global leadership team as a result of the appointment, following Marty O’Halloran’s elevation to the DDB Worldwide CEO position in July last year.
Little has served as group CEO of DDB Australia past seven years. O’Halloran said: “Andrew is a legend who has driven the Australian agency group to a high level of growth and creative achievement – I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to steer the region into the future.
“His 21 years with DDB speaks volumes about his loyalty and commitment and the investment we make in outstanding talent.
“Both countries have exceptional leadership teams, who are doing a wonderful job growing our business and delivering excellent work for clients.
“Andrew’s role will be to ensure there is Trans-Tasman collaboration where needed for clients, many of which increasingly span both markets.”
Little said he is looking forward to the role and working across both countries: “The New Zealand agency is exceptional with numerous top awards under its belt.
“My latest chapter here means I can continue working closely with the best people and clients across the region. I’m honoured that my new role will see me lead both businesses, which are forces within their local markets, within the DDB network, and on the global creative stage.”
Of Patel’s new role, O’Halloran said: “Priya is a superstar from within the DDB Worldwide network. Andrew and I identified her unique skills early on and am now delighted to be able to introduce her to New Zealand.”
“This is one of the strongest regional teams I have the pleasure of leading. I can’t wait to see what they do.”
Patel joined DDB from David Jones where she was a marketing services creative consultant for ten months.
Mowday and chief creative officer Damon Stapleton recently left DDB New Zealand to join The Monkeys. They will be setting up a regional office in New Zealand, to be launched by Accenture Interactive.
A search has begun for her replacement as DDB Sydney managing director.
Patel said: “While I am sad to leave the talented, smart and genuinely kind humans at DDB Sydney, the opportunity to lead DDB Group Aotearoa New Zealand is simply a challenge too good to turn down.
“It’s a business at the top of its game and my job will be to try and futureproof it and take it to the next level of success.”
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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