NEW YORK, Today: It was announced in the US early this morning that AUNZ DDB ceo Marty O’Halloran has been given one of the biggest jobs in advertising – head of DDB Worldwide.
It’s virtually unheard of for someone in our part of the world to land such a role without working their way up in North America or Europe, so it’s fantastic kudos for the quality of our industry down here.
In his new global ceo role, O’Halloran will oversee operations across the network, leading an international team of 10,000 people in 200 offices in 90 countries.
O’Halloran most recently served as regional chairman and ceo of DDB Group in Australia and New Zealand, a position he has held since 2005, based mainly out of the Auckland office.
DDB Worldwide chairman Chuck Brymer said: “Marty has a remarkable track record and a relentless focus on adding value.
“With his guidance and leadership, DDB has become a creative force across Australia and New Zealand. Marty knows that creativity is the most powerful force in business, and has a reputation for delivering long-term success for our clients.
“Members of the New Zealand team have been instrumental in guiding DDB Worldwide’s global positioning and creative strategy in recent years.
DDB Group New Zealand and Australia currently hold five Agency of the Year titles and are ranked among the top five most effective agencies globally.
O’Halloran (who was actually born in Australia) has overseen 15 years of steady growth in the AUNZ region and has been a member of the global board for a decade.
“You don’t have to be in New York or London to be the best.”
Marty O’Halloran said: “When I started at DDB many years ago, I never imagined that one day I would become the global leader of one of the industry’s most famous brands.
“But throughout my career I have worked with many amazing leaders, like Chuck, who believed in me and have guided and encouraged me to chase my wildest dreams, resulting in this incredible opportunity.”
He hopes his appointment shows what is possible to achieve from this part of the world.
“I never chased the big roles overseas because it was always my belief that we could build the best agency in the world here in New Zealand and Australia – you didn’t have to be in New York or London to be the best.
“I think our team down here has proven that, and now it’s my privilege to take that learning and apply it on the global stage.”
- The Herald scored a face-to-face with O’Halloran. View it here
About DDB Worldwide
DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world’s largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry’s leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency’s clients include Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and the US Army. Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.
About Omnicom
Omnicom Group Inc (NYSE – OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to 5000 clients in 100 countries.
ABOUT DDB Group NZ
At DDB we believe our business is to grow yours. We do this by giving brands an emotional advantage, using the most powerful force in business: creativity. DDB New Zealand has been placed in the top 5 most effective agencies in the world by both WARC and Effies, as well as Axis, Campaign Brief and Campaign Asia-Pacific Creative Agency of the Year, and Campaign Asia-Pacific Digital & Social Media Agency of the Year. DDB is part of the DDB Group, comprising TRACK (customer, data, CRM), Mango (PR, experiential, social influencer) and Interbrand (strategy, design).
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