DDB bolsters strategic expertise with new hires

AUCKLAND, Today: DDB Aotearoa NZ has made further appointments to its strategy team. Josh Watson joins the Auckland-based team as planner and Shivani Narsai as junior planner.

They’ll be working across clients such as McDonald’s, AAI Insurance, Vodafone and Mobil.

Joining DDB from Proximity NZ, Watson has experience working on brand, customer experience and research projects for some of New Zealand’s biggest brands across several sectors, including retail, financial services, transportation and telecommunications.

Watson said: “I’ve always admired the universal popularity of DDB’s work. They have a consistent track record of creating powerful emotions at a truly impressive scale. DDB Aotearoa has an unwavering belief in the power of creativity to drive business results, and is committed to fostering that creativity in all its forms. 

“These bright, talented young planners are a welcome addition to our strategy department.”

With a background in architecture and urban planning, Shivani Narsai joins DDB from The Urban Advisory, a strategy consultancy that specialises in regeneration and housing strategy working with iwi, mana whenua and communities.

Narsai is also co-organiser for Migrant Zine Collective, an activist-based zine collective that aims to amplify, celebrate and share the voices of migrants of colour in Aotearoa.

Narsai said: “Coming from an architectural background, I hope to bring a unique perspective on how humans think, interact, and navigate spaces.”

DDB chief strategy officer Rupert Price says the addition of Watson and Narsai follow recent high-profile appointments within the team and reflect DDB’s significant investment in strategy.

“These bright, talented young planners are a welcome addition to our strategy department,” he said.

“Both bringing a diverse set of skills and expertise that will help ensure DDB continues to produce insight-led and effective creative solutions for clients.”