DDB Aotearoa promotes award-winning CD Rory McKechnie to executive creative director role

One of DDB Aotearoa’s most awarded creative directors has been promoted to executive creative director. Rory McKechnie, who first joined DDB in 2010, has won more than 100 international and local awards during his time at the agency.

DDB group chief creative officer Matty Burton says Rory is one of a kind: “One of the hardest working creative directors in the department, Rory consistently delivers ideas of all shapes and forms. He has an uncanny ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist as well as create emotive stories that shift the perception of large brands like Speights’ ‘The Dance’ or movements that change the world for the better like ‘Correct the Internet‘.

“But that’s just what he does and that’s not why we are promoting him. We’re promoting Rory for how he does it, which is by bringing everybody with him and lifting others as he does so.”

McKechnie has been instrumental in campaigns like ‘White Can’ for Steinlager, ‘Tiny Pub’ for Emerson’s, ‘Reflections’ for Macca’s and ‘Bring Down the King’ for SKY’s Game of Thrones, while his honours include awards from D&AD and Cannes Lions, along with multiple New Zealand Grand Effies.

Says McKechnie: “I’m excited and humbled to take on this new role and look forward to working with Matty and Gary to help guide the department.

“DDB has been my work home most of my adult life, having first spent five years from 2010 to 2015 here before rejoining in 2017. We often talk about the DDB boomerang, and I think it’s a testament to this agency that so many of us come back. I’d love it if I could help encourage that in the next generation.”

Says Gary Steele, CCO, DDB: “We’re super proud of how Rory shows up, and this is well deserved recognition for all his hard work. Here’s to his continued success and immeasurable impact for our clients and the department at large.”