New era as Amir Kassaei replaces Bob Scarpelli as chief creative officer of DDB Worldwide

DDB Worldwide has appointed Amir Kassaei chief creative officer, effective immediately. Currently chief creative officer and associate partner of DDB in Germany, he succeeds Bob Scarpelli, chairman of DDB Worldwide, in the global CCO role.

“At DDB, we believe creativity is the most powerful force in business.  And I believe Amir is one of our most powerfully creative thinkers,” Scarpelli said. “He is an innovator, a provocateur and an inspiring leader. I know he will do great things in his new role and I look forward to continue working with him.”

In making the announcement, DDB president and CEO Chuck Brymer said: “Amir is an amazing creative and strategic talent as proven in work for clients around the world. When Bob decided he wanted to transition his global creative duties, we both thought of Amir.  He has a strong commitment to great work in every type of communication and to inspiring others to succeed. We are confident he will do an extraordinary job in this new position.”

Kassaei, who will be based in New York and Berlin, was named The Big Won Report’s Top chief creative officer for 2009, and ranked among The Big Won’s top three chief creative officers from 2007-2009. Known for his visionary and creatively inspired ideas, he founded and established Tribal DDB Germany as a multichannel agency.  Kassaei and his teams are the recipients of more than 2,000 national and international awards, including 40 Cannes Lions in the past five years. 

Says Kassaei: “I am honored that Bob and Chuck have given me this opportunity to contribute to DDB’s growth and creative renown. DDB was, is and will always be the true innovator of our industry and I am very glad to have the chance to work with the best and most talented people on earth to prove that on every brand and every client we’re working for.”

DDB also announced it is expanding its Creative Council structure. More than two years ago, DDB formed a global creative council which was followed by the DDB Asia Pacific Creative Council led by DDB New Zealand’s Toby Talbot (left) and the DDB Latin America Creative Council spearheaded by DDB Latina president and CEO Juan Carlos Ortiz. Late last year, DDB West ECD Lisa Bennett was asked to create and chair the US Creative Council. And this week DDB London ECD Jeremy Craigen was named Chair of DDB’s European Creative Council.

“The creative councils help make sure we deliver on our promise of creating ideas with ShareValue for our clients and help organize and inform the worldwide creative team, all of which is of great value to the agency,” said Scarpelli.