DDB Aotearoa bolsters strategic expertise with new hires Josh Watson and Shivani Narsai

| | 3 Comments
DDB Aotearoa bolsters strategic expertise with new hires Josh Watson and Shivani Narsai

DDB Aotearoa NZ has made further appointments to its strategy team, bolstering its strategic expertise.

 

Helping to fuel the agency’s continued growth, Josh Watson joins the Auckland-based team as planner and Shivani Narsai as junior planner, working across clients such as McDonalds, AAI Insurance, Vodafone and Mobil.

Joining DDB Aotearoa 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.

Says Watson: “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.

“I’ve been struck by the accuracy of DDB’s ‘talented and nice’ adage, and by how passionate and supportive the people here are. There’s a noticeable energy that makes coming to work pretty enjoyable – even on Mondays.”

With a background in architecture and urban planning, Narsai brings a unique skillset to the DDB whānau. She 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.

Says Narsai: “I’m excited to be a part of the team at DDB Aotearoa – there is a real sense of momentum within the agency and a diverse mix of talented, inspiring people with different backgrounds and experience. This contributes to the innovative ideas and insights that come out of this agency. Coming from an architectural background, I hope to bring a unique perspective on how humans think, interact, and navigate spaces.”

DDB Aotearoa chief strategy officer, Rupert Price, says the addition of Watson and Narsai follow recent high profile appointments within the team and reflect DDB Aotearoa’s significant investment in strategy: “These bright, talented young planners are a welcome addition to our strategy department, 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.”