DDB Melbourne CCO Darren Spiller set to depart agency to pursue international opportunites

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DSdepartsDDB.jpgCB Exclusive – Campaign Brief can reveal that DDB Group Melbourne’s Darren Spiller has decided to step down as chief creative officer, effective November 15, to pursue international creative opportunities.

Spiller joined DDB Melbourne in 2012 as ECD replacing Grant Rutherford and was promoted to CCO in February last year, a move which saw a major creative restructure for the agency.

Prior to joining DDB Melbourne, Spiller held the role of CCO at Fallon USA and before Fallon, was regional creative director role of Publicis Mojo Australia and New Zealand before moving to Minneapolis in June 2009.

Says Andrew Little, CEO, DDB Group Australia: “Darren has done an outstanding job for DDB Melbourne over the past four years and we wish him the very best for this next stage – he is a truly amazing creative talent achieving over 100 awards in this first three years for clients including Devondale, Radiant Returns and RSL to name but a few.

“We are conducting the search for Melbourne’s new CCO and in the interim, Melbourne Creative Directors Glen Dickson and Jim Ritchie will be closely supported by the senior Sydney team led by Ben Welsh.”

Says Dave Brown, managing director, DDB Group Melbourne: “Darren has been my partner in crime and one of the most talented creative leaders I have worked with. We will remember his legacy for many reasons but the highlight will always be the highly entertaining and multi-award winning Devondale campaign that broke category rules and challenged perceptions.

“DDB Melbourne has a very strong senior creative line-up with outstanding creative and innovative work already in the process for 2017.”

Says Spiller on his departure: “I have been talking to Andrew and Dave for the past six months about my personal ambition to work overseas again. I am looking at a number of opportunities including within the DDB network. The past four years have been amazing, working with an outstanding team of creative heroes as well as brave and ambitions clients. This was not an easy decision but the timing is right.”