DDB NZ has appointed TBWA Singapore’s Gary Steele to the Executive Creative Director role. Steele has nearly two decades of experience at agencies across Africa, Asia and Europe.
Along with being named one of Singapore’s most influential creative directors for the last four years in a row, he spearheaded Singapore’s largest creative pitch, winning the hotly contested Singapore Airlines business last year.
“I think the global advertising industry is looking at New Zealand right now and wondering if there’s something special in the water down here,” said Damon Stapleton, DDB New Zealand Chief Creative Officer. “A few months ago we announced Chris Willingham joining us from W+K Portland and now Gary’s joining the team as well – a world-class creative who was leading a highly awarded agency of 300+ people in Singapore.”
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Steele says he’s seen the work coming out of DDB New Zealand over the last few years so when the opportunity arose to join the team he took it.
“Watching DDB New Zealand from afar, I’ve seen some fantastic work that really caught my attention. Lotto’s succession of emotive TVC’s, the work on Speight’s, Re:scam – they’re the kind of projects you want to be a part of.”
Speaking on Steele’s departure, Ara Hampartsoumian, chief executive officer, TBWA\Group Singapore said: “Gary has done an incredible job in his role as executive creative director and leaves at a time of positive momentum for the Singapore agency, and our entire collective. It’s been an absolute pleasure for me to partner Gary over the last five years and I thank him for his passion, dedication and loyalty to the agency. We wish Gary and his family all the very best with their move to New Zealand and Gary’s new role.”
Steele will start the new position in May.
