Former M&C Saatchi group head Nick Russo joins DDB Sydney as managing partner
Nick Russo has joined DDB Sydney as managing partner on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Russo was most recently group head at M&C Saatchi for 10 years leading the Lexus business. He has a range of other high-level experience across telcos, FMCG and retail.
Russo said he’s passionate about building relationships and delivering creative excellence with solid business outcomes: “The opportunity to work at DDB Sydney on Volkswagen was a no brainer. An iconic agency, and an iconic brand.
“I’m looking forward to helping drive Volkswagen to great sales results, and cutting through in really competitive markets with some stand out creative.
“I jumped at the chance to work with the DDB Sydney crew, particularly with Ben (Welsh, DDB CCO) again because we share a passion for great work, and work that works,” he said.
DDB Sydney has a long history with Volkswagen, first winning the Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles business in Australia in 2001, and then the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (CV) and Skoda accounts in 2015.
Volkswagen CV’s most famous campaign via DDB Sydney was the 2016 ‘The Naked Ute’ Amarok campaign, which picked up a bunch of awards including a Silver Cannes Lion. This was followed up by the ‘Mad Max-inspired’ Korama work for the Amarok V6.
“I was a big fan of ‘The Naked Ute’ and its success, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with the Amarok in the future. Commercial Vehicles is such an exciting segment. There are so many established utes to take on, we want to continue to shake things up and prove that what people call a ‘posh ute’ is actually a very serious player,” Russo said.
Says DDB Australia CEO Andrew Little: “We’re really pleased to welcome Nick to the DDB Sydney family. He’s a brilliant fit for our culture and where our business is heading.”
13 Comments
Best man for the job! Congrats Russo.
Onwards and upwards. Congrats Mr. Russo, great move. All the best in the new role.
Fabulous
He’s the greatest. Congrats Russo.
Good time to fly the coop given the direction Lexus is likely to take in the short term. Russo leaves with his reputation untainted.
Ben Welsh, Chiquita King and now Nick Russo. Combine that with the great work that Tribal DDB team is doing and all of the incredible client wins they’ve had… What a formidable shop. Props to Nicole Taylor for getting it done.
Has Amanda Wheeler left?
Amanda is the best suit I’ve worked with. Really dumb move letting her go DDB.
But congratulations Mr Russo. You’ll be joining some lovely, talented people. Have fun.
Congrats fella! Love your work.
Nice Russo. Cluck.
Good on you Mr Russo.
After selling swarthy for years, VWs will be easy.
The best.
All good?