Chiquita King to depart managing partner role at DDB for partner/CEO position at The 6AM Agency

Sydney-based earned and owned creative communications agency, The 6AM Agency, has lured DDB Sydney managing partner Chiquita King to the position of chief executive officer and partner, effective late February 2019.

King is regarded as one of Australia’s most proven agency leaders, has two decades of outstanding agency experience building and leading integrated teams across data, strategy, digital, creative, production and exceptional client service. Her experience spans a number of categories and includes brands like Nike, eBay, Ikea, Optus, and Westpac to name a few.

The 6AM Agency, founded 16 years ago (formerly Brand New Solutions), is a leading earned and owned creative agency with a deep specialisation in health and wellbeing. More recently 6AM has been evolving its services and presence in the broader lifestyle sector.

Joining as a shareholder, King’s appointment further bolsters the agency partnership team which includes 6AM founder and wellbeing thought leader, Gillian Fish, and communications industry leader Chris Savage, founder of Australia’s biggest PR firm Ogilvy PR, and former chief operating officer of STW Group (now WPP AUNZ).

King commenced her career in South Africa with eight years at globally renowned creative agency The Jupiter Drawing Room, rising to the position of Group Head.

In 2009 King migrated to Australia, joining customer experience agency, Lavender as Group Business Director. King then joined Leo Burnett in 2013, followed by M&C Saatchi as Group Head leading the Optus account and most recently has spent the last three years as Managing Partner at DDB.

Says The 6AM Agency founder, Gillian Fish: “Chiquita’s proven track record in understanding the challenges facing clients and her deep leadership experience delivering integrated work, coupled with a passion for building high performing teams, brings to 6AM an outstanding partner and leader who will take the agency on the next stage of growth.”

Says King: “I have loved my time at DDB, particularly the last 12 months. I’ve made the work of my life, experienced a brilliant client partnership with Westpac, and have made lifelong friends.

“Being a recent graduate of The Marketing Academy has been a big catalyst for reflection and fuelled my desire to make my own mark on an industry I love. As a partner and shareholder, 6AM has given me an opportunity to do just that. I will wrap my arms around different challenges and grow the agency beyond its very respected owned and earned heritage.”

Adds The 6AM Agency chairman Chris Savage: “We are delighted to have Chiquita join 6AM. Those who know her will know what an outstanding leader and person we have joining us as a partner. Evolving agencies from pure earned and owned to providing broader integrated creative agency offerings requires grit and integrated experience. With Chiquita we know we have added the right firepower and agency leadership nous to help accelerate our growth.”

The 6AM Agency has a multinational client base across Australia, Japan and the United States, providing the full spectrum of strategy-led earned, owned and paid communications services.