DDB Group Aotearoa NZ Managing Director Nikki McKelvie departs after 13 years; James Blair promoted to new DDB Group Managing Director role

DDB Group Aotearoa managing director Nikki McKelvie has announced her departure after 13 years at the agency. Meanwhile James Blair has stepped up into a newly created DDB Group Managing Director role.

The move comes as part of a restructure, with McKelvie confirming the news in a personal LinkedIn post earlier this week. Reflecting on her time with the agency, she described the decision as the close of a meaningful chapter, writing: “After 13 unforgettable years at DDB Aotearoa – including the last four as Managing Director – I’m moving on.”

McKelvie, who has worked in the creative industry for nearly 30 years across agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi and Ogilvy, initially joined DDB in 2011 and was rose to Managing Director in early 2022. Over more than a decade, she helped lead the agency’s growth, creative reputation, and client partnerships — with DDB named Campaign Brief New Zealand Agency of the Year three times during her tenure. One of her proudest achievements, she says, was the creation of Takitoru — a Māori creative agency initiative within DDB that embeds Te Ao Māori into the work.

Says Priya Patel, CEO DDB Group AUNZ: “After 13 amazing years, Nikki McKelvie has left the business. We are incredibly grateful for her contribution and the positive impact she has had on our agency and clients and look forward to seeing what she does next.

“James Blair has stepped up into a newly created DDB Group Managing Director role, to oversee the teams across the DDB, TRACK and Tribal businesses. Mango’s structure remains the same under the leadership of MD Sean Brown. Both are smart and seasoned leaders and we’re excited for continued momentum and success at DDB Group Aotearoa.”

While she hasn’t announced her next move, McKelvie says she’s already engaging in new conversations and looking forward to collaborating on what she describes as “meaningful mahi.”

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