‘I want to personally thank the DDB Sydney team’: Westpac head speaks after bank parts ways with agency after 13 years
DDB Sydney and Westpac have announced they will end their partnership after 13 years in February 2025.
The news comes after Westpac put its creative account up for review last month, with speculation that the pitch is now down to Accenture Song, Howatson+Company, and Saatchi & Saatchi.
The agency has held the account for nearly 13 years, after first beating Ogilvy in 2012 in a head-to-head pitch.
Westpac’s chief brand and marketing officer, Annabel Fribence, told Mumbrella: “I want to personally thank the DDB Sydney team for their 13-year partnership with Westpac and the contribution the team has made to our business and brand.
“Westpac made the decision earlier this year to move in a new direction with its creative account. While a new agency is yet to be appointed, we will continue to work closely with the DDB team over the coming months.”
In a statement from CEO Sheryl Marjoram, CCO Matt Chandler, and CSO Rupert Price, sent to Mumbrella, DDB Sydney said: “It’s a bittersweet farewell for us, as our time with the bank has resulted in some of the agency’s proudest moments.
“Over the years we defied the banking category with emotionally charged work that connected with Australians.
“We saw the brand through leadership changes, a Royal Commission, the global pandemic, and a 200th anniversary; we co-created products, services and platforms, and had the privilege of shining a light on the brave men and women of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
“Saying we’re proud of this relationship would be an understatement, we loved shaping this brand and believe it always showed in our work.
“To our clients, past and present, many of whom have become lifelong friends: you always asked the best of us and fought for the integrity of the work when it counted – we say a sincere thank you.
“And to the many, many people of DDB, who over 13 years put their hearts, toil and talent into this long journey, we couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved together.
“For us, now a new chapter begins.
“With Australia’s most passionate, experienced and creatively-awarded financial services team, we are ready and looking forward to the new partnerships to come,” the statement said.
The Westpac account is serviced by one of the largest teams in the agency, led by a managing partner appointed earlier this year.
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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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topics
DDB
DDB Group
DDB Sydney
Matt Chandler
Rupert Price
Sheryl Marjoram
Vanessa Boueyres
Westpac
Westpac Group
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