TBWA\ snares DDB star to replace Peacock 

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AUCKLAND, Today: TBWA\New Zealand has secured DDB Auckland’s executive creative director Shane Bradnick as its new chief creative officer across TBWA, Digital Arts Network, and Eleven PR.

Bradnick is one of the most awarded and respected creative leaders in New Zealand. DDB Auckland was New Zealand’s most awarded agency at Cannes and has just been named Effectiveness Agency of the Year.

Bradnick has created some enduring pieces of work for brands including Steinlager, Speights, McDonald’s, Lotto, AA Insurance and Sky NZ. He was named one of the best executive creative directors and art directors in the world by The Won Report and has been consistently ranked a Campaign Brief Top 3 ECD.

He has won hundreds of awards in his career across Cannes, D&AD, Spike, One Show, AWARD, Axis, Effies, Webbys and the Facebook Awards.

And he leaves DDB with their praises in his ears: 

  • DDB NZ ceo Justin Mowday: “Shane’s been a part of DDB for 5 years and we’re sad to see him go. It’s been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work with Shane. He’s a mate, he’s a talent, and we wish him nothing but success in the future.”
  • And CCO Damon Stapleton: “I have known Shane for almost 25 years. We have been through a lot together. He is a friend first and colleague second. We started our careers together. We have always supported each other and that will never change. I wish him and his family only the best.”

Bradnick was with TBWA in South Africa before joining M&C Saatchi Sydney, then moving to Australian Agency of the Decade, BMF. In 2013, he moved to New Zealand to join DDB as ECD helping to consistently drive the agency’s rankings to first or second at local and international Effectiveness and Creative award shows. 

Here, Shane “fell in love” with New Zealand and now calls it home.


“Catherine and Shane will be a formidable leadership team for many years to come.”

Auckland-based TBWA Group managing director Catherine Harris said: “We thank Christy Peacock for all he has done for the agency over the past three years and we wish him all the best.”

“We know clients want growth, not ads. Shane’s delivery of brand platforms, his breadth of work across data and digital and the impact his work has on brand performance is exceptional.

“He is one of the best creatives in the country and has delivered some of New Zealand’s most iconic and effective work.

“Shane is hugely successful and brings a very modern outlook to what creative companies can deliver for clients. He is a big believer in the power of TBWA’s disruption philosophy and I can’t wait to partner with him.

“Further new appointments will be announced shortly.”

Bradnick says he is moving back to TBWA to join forces with Catherine Harris who has done an outstanding job of leading the agency in a new direction over the last 18 months.

Bradnick said: “I have really enjoyed my time at DDB, made good friends and some great work. I’ve also learned a lot about the New Zealand market and what clients are looking for from a modern agency.

“I am looking forward to partnering with Catherine. We share a simple philosophy when it comes to advertising – make stuff that people love, with people you like. We are excited to build on TBWA’s 35 years of disruption, which is about finding new space for brands to grow and what this means for agencies and clients today. It will be a fun next chapter.”

The Aussies approve
Paul Bradbury, the Sydney-based ceo of TBWA Group Australia & New Zealand, said: “Creativity is the last and most powerful differentiator for brands now and into the future, which is why we have made this investment to secure one of the very best creative leaders in New Zealand.

“Catherine and Shane will be a formidable leadership team for many years to come.”


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