DDB Group AUNZ has handed the reigns of its regional operations to the leaders of its New Zealand business as Sydney-based Andrew Little steps down as CEO and president after 25 years with the Omnicom agency.

Little, who was CEO of DDB Group Australia for seven years before taking on the regional role in 2021, will be succeeded by DDB Group Aotearoa CEO Priya Patel. Matty Burton, who is currently the Chief Creative Officer of DDB Group Aotearoa, will take on the newly created position of Chief Creative Officer for DDB Group AUNZ. This leadership change will take effect from April 1, 2025.

Andrew Little started his career at DDB as Managing Director of DDB Melbourne in 2000, and will remain with DDB to support the transition until August 2025. His partnerships with clients such as Westpac, McDonald's, Coles, and Volkswagen have been noted for their longevity and success.

"I have always thought that leading DDB is a privilege, not a job and have treated this company like it was my own. I have also been fortunate to see DDB graduates become CEOs, CCOs and heads of departments around the world – this is one of the real joys of a long tenure. I have made lifelong friends with clients and even competitors. But mostly I would like to thank my DDB family – those wonderful people who have supported me through the years," said Little.

Patel and Burton have been working together at DDB Group Aotearoa since 2021, where they have achieved notable creative and commercial success. Under their leadership, the agency has garnered 20 Agency of The Year titles, 14 Cannes Lions, and nine D&AD Pencils, including New Zealand's second ever Black Pencil. Both Patel and Burton will continue to be based in New Zealand and will oversee the agency and its clients, collaborating closely with the leadership teams of DDB Melbourne and DDB Sydney.

"Each of our offices is unique and has its own strengths and talents," said Patel. "To date, we have all worked relatively siloed, but there are exciting opportunities for us to come together and integrate more for the benefit of our clients - like a modern, creatively powerful, Antipodean mini network within the worldwide network. Our vision is simply to create more unity between the amazing humans in Australia and New Zealand.

"In Napa [Mike Napolitano, CEO DDB Melbourne] and Marj [Sheryl Marjoram, CEO DDB Sydney], I have two super-smart partners who are well connected into clients and the best talent in the region, and I can’t wait to work even more closely with them. And I am, of course, deeply grateful to Andrew for bringing me into DDB and his continual support over the last seven years."

Burton said: "Both Priya and I have worked in and love all three cities and believe we just need to connect the right people at the right time. We want it to be inspiring and rewarding - giving everyone new opportunities, challenges and clients to work with."

DDB Group Global CEO, Alex Lubar, said: "Our agencies in Australia and New Zealand have always been some of our strongest, most creative offerings in the global DDB network. I have no doubt that this leadership team will chart enormous creative success and growth for the future. I would like to thank Andrew for leading through some of our most impressive years in the region. He’s had a profound impact on the business and will be missed by all of us at DDB. Andrew will be here to support Priya, Matty and clients until August 2025."