Taking the next step in their implementation of a fresh creative structure across Australasia, DDB Australia have appointed Toby Talbot as the chief creative officer at DDB Sydney. The move follows hot on the heels of DDB's recent appointment of Damon Stapleton as chief creative officer at DDB New Zealand, and the network has said that both appointments serve to magnify the senior creative clout within the region.
In Sydney, Talbot will be working alongside executive creative director Dylan Harrison in what has been called a “Partnership” by DDB Australia's managing director, Andrew Little
Talbot joins the DDB Sydney team from Whybin\TBWA New Zealand, where he has been serving as CCO for just over a year. Previously he has also worked at RKCR/Y&R and DDB in London, and before his stint in the UK's capitol, he also spent 5 years as executive creative director at DDB New Zealand. In Sydney, Talbot will be working alongside executive creative director Dylan Harrison in what has been called a “Partnership” by DDB Australia's managing director, Andrew Little. Little has said that under Harrison's tenure, “DDB Sydney has produced outstanding commercial and creative success,” and that they have appointed Talbot to “Amplify the agencies creative firepower as it continues to develop effective, relevant and outstanding campaigns.”
Toby Talbot
Talbot himself says that DDB have always been supportive of him and his work, and that he is “Thrilled to be returning home.” He emphasises that his time spent with DDB in Auckland, New Zealand was a highlight of his career, and that he has “Kept a close eye on the network's outstanding success.” He says their output across the Australasian region has been “Outstanding,” and he is excited to be joining Harrison and the team. Harrison returns the compliments, gushing that Talbot “Has been a great mentor” ever since he began at DDB Sydney. He's “Looking forward to the relationship being made official,” as he feels Talbot is “An awesome creative talent, not to mention an awesome bloke.” Marty O'Halloran, the chairman of the DDB Group in Australia and New Zealand is “Delighted to welcome Toby back into the DDB fold,” as he says Talbot “Led the creative department in Auckland to tremendous success,” and always secretly hoped he'd return to them one day.
“Toby Talbot is an awesome creative talent, not to mention an awesome bloke.” Marty O'Halloran
The move will commence in July, and his role at Whybin\TBWA will be filled by Dave King, who will be making the move from M&C Saatchi New Zealand, an agency that has been seeing some significant troubles of late, and is expected to close following King's departure.
Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and musician from Kidderminster in the UK.
