DDB New Zealand has announced the promotions of two of its senior creatives, with Dave Brady replacing previous head of art and “crafty bastard” Mike Davison and Paul Hankinson taking on the role of head of copy.
Hankinson has been with DDB as creative group head for three years and prior to this spent time at agencies on both sides of the Tasman, including The Campaign Palace Melbourne and Mojo Auckland, where he wrote award-winning campaigns for Hallensteins, Coke and Burger Rings.
He’s fairly chuffed with his new role and fully intends “to abuse it to fulfill a long-held desire to get words such as ‘cockamamie’ and ‘skylarking’ back into the everyday parlance of the general population.”
Brady has been art director at DDB for two years, which follows four years at DraftFCB, and 10 years in London working across a wide range of clients including Honda, Zanussi, Virgin (Holidays), Eurosport, New Zealand Lamb and MTV.
And he is similarly content with the new posting.
“Mike D was one of the contributing factors to me joining the DDB. He’s been responsible for some of the best print work in the country during his time here and having had the opportunity to collaborate with him has been amazing. It’s a really exciting time for DDB and Mike’s left the department in great shape. We have the resources and talent in place to continue to push our craft and I’m looking forward to doing just that.”
DDB group executive creative director Toby Talbot says the pair were the natural choices.
“Hanko’s job, as the most senior copywriter, is to raise the standard of writing, specifically our junior teams. Dave’s remit, as well as continuing as one half of a great team with Joe Hawkins, is to oversee our talented craft department.”
Pip Perkins and Jen Ko have also been hired as full time members of the creative department, just three months after finishing their studies at AUT.
“After three long, arduous months on placement, Pip and Jen have succeeded where many fail. They have brilliantly made the transition from make believe briefs at AUT to real ones at DDB,” says Talbot.
