DDB Group has a new local leadership team as regional president Andrew Little steps down after 25 years.
New Zealand CEO Priya Patel and New Zealand chief creative officer Matty Burton are taking on expanded roles in the region, effective April 1.
Patel extends her responsibility to regional CEO with Burton moving into the newly created role of chief creative officer for DDB Group AUNZ.
The duo has worked in partnership at DDB Group Aotearoa in New Zealand since 2021. The pair will continue to be based in New Zealand, overseeing the agency and its clients, as well as partnering with the DDB Melbourne and DDB Sydney leadership teams.
Little started as managing director of DDB Melbourne, then promoted to CEO DDB Group Australia in 2013, then promoted to president and CEO ANZ in 2021. His partnerships with Westpac (13 years), McDonald’s (56 years), Coles (two tenures) and Volkswagen (27 years) mark some of the most consistent agency-client relationships in Australia.
Little said he has always thought that leading DDB is a privilege, not a job and have treated this company like it was his own.
"I have also been fortunate to see DDB graduates become CEOs, CCOs and heads of departments around the world – this is one of the real joys of a long tenure," Little said.
"I have made lifelong friends with clients and even competitors. But mostly I would like to thank my DDB family – those wonderful people who have supported me through the years.”
Patel said each office is unique and has its own strengths and talents.
"To date, we have all worked relatively siloed, but there are exciting opportunities for us to come together and integrate more for the benefit of our clients - like a modern, creatively powerful, Antipodean mini network within the worldwide network," Patel said.
"Our vision is simply to create more unity between the amazing humans in Australia and New Zealand.
“In Napa [Mike Napolitano, CEO DDB Melbourne] and Marj [Sheryl Marjoram, CEO DDB Sydney], I have two super-smart partners who are well connected into clients and the best talent in the region, and I can’t wait to work even more closely with them. And I am, of course, deeply grateful to Andrew for bringing me into DDB and his continual support over the last seven years.”
Burton said both Priya and himself have worked in and love all three cities.
"We believe we just need to connect the right people at the right time. We want it to be inspiring and rewarding - giving everyone new opportunities, challenges and clients to work with," Burton said.
DDB Group Global CEO Alex Lubar said the agencies in Australia and New Zealand have always been some of the strongest, most creative offerings in the global DDB network.
"I have no doubt that this leadership team will chart enormous creative success and growth for the future," Lubar said.
"I would like to thank Andrew for leading through some of our most impressive years in the region. He’s had a profound impact on the business and will be missed by all of us at DDB.
"Andrew will be here to support Priya, Matty and clients until August 2025.”
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