After 12 years at DDB NZ Rupert Price relocates to DDB Sydney for chief strategy officer role

DDB Sydney has today announced the appointment of Rupert Price as the agency’s new chief strategy officer.

With an impressive 25-year career in agencies across London and New Zealand, he has spent the last 12 years as DDB Group Aotearoa’s chief strategy officer and will now continue his momentum in Sydney.

In his time at DDB Group Aotearoa, Price has been instrumental in the agency’s success, with numerous accolades and achievements spanning every creative award ranging from Cannes Gold Lions to a coveted D&AD Black Pencil. At the 2024 Cannes Festival, DDB Group Aotearoa won seven awards for clients Samsung, Volkswagen, McDonald’s and Correct the Internet. In addition, he has steered the agency to four NZ Effies Agency of the Year titles, as well as winning many effectiveness awards at both regional and global shows.

During his career, Price has also worked with Interbrand as director of strategy, head of planning at Ogilvy NZ and Ogilvy London and was board planning director at Saatchi & Saatchi London.

As the new chief strategy officer at DDB Sydney, Price will lead the planning department in its sharp focus on effectiveness delivered through the power of emotionally charged creativity across clients such as Westpac, Volkswagen Group and McDonald’s.

Says Sheryl Marjoram, CEO, DDB Group Sydney: “I couldn’t be happier to have Rupert joining the team. We’ve long been admirers of his impact and momentum across the Tasman and it’s always a special moment to be able to recruit much loved and respected DDB’ers within the network. His passion, commitment and results speak for themselves and I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s next for DDB Sydney.”

Says Priya Patel, CEO, DDB Group New Zealand: “We’re incredibly proud of the strategic powerhouse Rupert has built here and want to thank him for over a decade of incredible work. The team and I will miss him but we love the fact that he is only a short flight away.”

Says Price: “It was a tough decision to leave the agency I’ve called home for the last 12 years but the opportunity to work with the Sydney team to continue their trajectory was too good to pass up.”

Price will commence his transition immediately to DDB Sydney dividing his time equally between Sydney and New Zealand until the end of August before taking on the Sydney role permanently from September 1st.