DDB Sydney’s Matt Chandler gets promoted, Stephen de Wolf to depart
DDB Sydney’s executive creative director Matt Chandler has stepped up to the Sydney chief creative role, effective immediately, while national CCO Stephen de Wolf is set to depart.
De Wolf has spent nearly three years in the national role, taking over from Ben Walsh in 2021.
DDB ANZ’s president and chief executive, Andrew Little, said: “Wolfie has been fantastic for us at DDB and we wish him nothing but the best.
“He leaves as a great friend of our agency.”
Chandler joined DDB in 2014 as a senior copywriter following stints in London and JWT and Saatchis. By 2016, he was a creative partner, and in 2019 was made a deputy ECD.
In 2020, he stepped into the ECD role, where he has since led work for DDB Sydney’s clients including McDonald’s, Westpac, and Volkswagen.
He has also been an active industry figure, having spent two years as the national co-head of AWARD School, and now acting as a board member for the national AWARD council.
DDB Sydney Leadership team. (L-R): Rupert Price, Sheryl Marjoram, Matt Chandler
“When I walked into DDB Sydney’s Mountain Street offices 10 years ago, I was just excited to be working with the best people and brands you could find in Australia. Honestly, I feel the same way today,” Chandler reflected.
“I’ve been a beneficiary of the many talented and generous people who have passed through the agency. The responsibility of now leading DDB Sydney is an opportunity for me to repay all that goodwill by making sure everyone gets the same experience.”
Chandler’s promotion to Sydney’s chief creative will see him work closely with recently appointed chief strategy officer, Rupert Price.
Price joins the Sydney team after 12 years at DDB Aotearoa. He will lead the planning department in its focus and proposition of “effectiveness delivered through the power of emotionally charged creativity”, across clients including McDonald’s.
The pair will report to DDB Sydney group CEO, Sheryl Marjoram.
“Matt is one of those rare humans that cares deeply about the work and equally about the people behind it,” Marjoram said of his promotion.
“He is one of our industry’s greatest storytellers. Everyone leans in to listen and in these increasingly challenging times, emotional storytelling is what makes all the difference.
“Matt’s superpower of emotionally charged storytelling, coupled with Rupert’s relentless pursuit for effectiveness, is going to be a formidable force.”
Chandler continued: “The only reason to stay in one place for a long time is because you feel like there’s potential for you and for the agency. Working alongside Rupert and Sheryl and what I reckon is the best creative department in the country, there’s never been more potential than right now.
“That potential I see at DDB extends to the rest of our industry, which I know to be filled with wildly talented and ambitious creative people, and I’m proud to be part of it. I hope we continue to all make each other bolder and better, more and more often.”
The news comes just days after DDB Sydney announced Jack Nunn’s return to the agency. He has been appointed as creative partner to lead the McDonald’s account, following a two-year stint in London at Special and Ogilvy.
Price replaces former chief strategy officer Fran Clayton, who finished up at DDB Sydney last month, to take on the chief strategist position at Ogilvy ANZ.
The agency also recently appointed a managing partner to lead the Westpac account, in Vanessa Boeuyres. Her responsibilities include leading brand strategy, creative and production services.
Creative duo Seamus McAlary and Emmalie Narathipakorn from The Monkeys also joined the agency earlier this year, as senior copywriter and senior art director, respectively.
Mumbrella has contacted DDB for comment on de Wolf’s departure.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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adam&eveDDB
DDB Group Australia
DDB Sydney
Matt Chandler
Rupert Price
Sheryl Marjoram
Stephen de Wolf
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