DDB Aotearoa has announced the appointment of a new Lead Business Partner, with Kate Heatley joining the Auckland-based team to lead the Westpac New Zealand business.
Formerly General Manager at TBWA New Zealand, Heatley has more than 20 years of experience working in creative agencies on both sides of the Tasman, including Y&R, FCB NZ, and FCB Sydney. She has extensive experience working across leading global and local clients, including ANZ, 2degrees, Gruppo Campari, Mondelez and Beiersdorf.
DDB Group Aotearoa CEO Priya Patel says she’s thrilled to welcome Heatley to the DDB whānau.
“We’re delighted to have Kate join the team, bringing an impressive track record as a business and agency leader. She has a wealth of experience in leading agencies and client business across a number of industry sectors, and is well placed to deliver excellent results for Westpac NZ.
“Kate is one of the best strategic minds in the business; she’s a creative problem solver, trusted advisor and has a natural drive to make fast progress on any project. She’s also a genuinely awesome human and really lives up to our ‘talented and nice’ culture – we’re lucky to have her at DDB.”
Heatley says she has long admired the work DDB Aotearoa has produced and is excited to join the team.
“DDB Aotearoa has some of the brightest, most talented creative minds in the country and it’s a pleasure to work with such an impressive pool of talent. The passion the people at DDB have for clients’ business and the work they produce is quite inspirational – I’m looking forward to helping to deliver innovative, effective and unexpected campaigns for Westpac that drive strong outcomes and impact for their business.”
