In a significant move within the advertising industry, Ari Weiss, the Global Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at DDB, part of the Omnicom Group, is bidding farewell to the agency after an impactful seven-year stint. Weiss is set to venture into the world of entrepreneurship with the launch of his independent agency, slated to debut in January.
Having initially joined DDB as North America CCO in 2017, Weiss swiftly climbed the ranks, earning the global CCO position in mid-2019. His departure follows closely on the heels of Rodrigo Jatene, DDB Chicago’s CCO, who recently announced his move to Wieden+Kennedy as CCO for Latin America.
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Under Weiss’s creative leadership, DDB has garnered prestigious accolades, including being named Network of the Year at The One Show, D&AD, and, notably, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This year marked a historic achievement for DDB as it secured the Network of the Year title at Cannes for the first time in its 74-year history.
Expressing pride in these accomplishments, Weiss stated, “I believe [agency founder] Bill Bernbach is smiling down on us today.” However, he acknowledged a yearning to rekindle his entrepreneurial spirit and be more intimately involved in daily creative endeavors—a challenge within the global CCO role.
In a statement, Weiss shared, “Lots of emotions today. It’s never easy to move on from something you love. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve built at DDB. And even more proud of the people we’ve built it with.”
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He added, “Since my days as an intern at Goodby Silverstein, I’ve dreamed of starting my own agency.” Weiss envisions independent agencies as vital drivers of progress in the industry, uniquely positioned to address contemporary challenges.
Weiss’s plans include launching his independent agency early next year, with details about the venture yet to be disclosed. He emphasized the increasing complexity and fragmentation of the world, asserting that brands must create things people truly value to make a difference.
His departure was met with acknowledgment from Alex Lubar, DDB’s global CEO, who said, “Ari’s creative talent has been globally celebrated and appreciated by our clients and teams across the network. We wish him the very best in his new, entrepreneurial endeavor.”
As Weiss embarks on this new chapter, the industry awaits the unveiling of his independent agency and anticipates the impact of his creative vision in the evolving landscape of advertising.
Reel 360 News wishes Ari the best of luck in his new venture.
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