Leadership shifts as Andrew Little exits

AUCKLAND, Today: Leadership is evolving at DDB Group AUNZ, with Priya Patel and Matty Burton stepping into bigger roles across the region, officially from April 1.

Patel becomes Regional CEO, while Burton takes on a brand-new role as Chief Creative Officer for DDB Group AUNZ—building on their powerhouse partnership in Aotearoa.

Since joining forces in 2021, they’ve led DDB NZ to incredible heights, bagging 20 Agency of the Year titles, 14 Cannes Lions and New Zealand’s second ever Black Pencil.

They’ll continue working from NZ while supporting clients and collaborating more closely with the teams in Sydney and Melbourne.

“Each of our offices is unique and has its own strengths and talents. 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,” commented Patel.

“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.”

“I have always thought that leading DDB is a privilege, not a job and have treated this company like it was my own.” – Andrew Little

Burton added, “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.”

These changes come as Regional President Andrew Little steps down, wrapping up an epic 25-year journey with the agency.

Little’s leadership spans decades of client success, with long-term partnerships including McDonald’s (56 years), Volkswagen (27 years), and Westpac (13 years).

Little said, “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.”

DDB Group Global CEO Alex Lubar added: “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.”