DDB EMEA

The pandemic acted as a catalyst for change, renewed energy and focus in 2021.

Our business strategy for the year centred around three key areas of focus; hiring world-class talent, creating tools for connection and growth, and embedding DE&I into our practices and work. Glen Lomas, President of DDB EMEA, invested in high-profile people across all areas of the business, including HR, creative, strategy and new business. We also turbocharged our commitment to DE&I, with a significant number of new hires, promotions and initiatives. With the launch of two new proprietary tools our people were able to connect resources like never before, giving us the edge in new business. We had over 100 new business wins across the region, such as adidas, Bertolli, De Beers, Dr Oetker, Klarna and Sony. We also grew existing client relationships including McDonald’s, Johnson&Johson and PlayStation. Most notably we had no wholesale realignment of any regional business in 2021. 2021 was a landmark creative year for DDB EMEA, with a depth and breadth of work that notching up 8 Campaign Pick of the Weeks and delivered on our commitment to effectiveness through creativity. Our work was some of the most awarded in the world, we were awarded Network of the Year at One Show and D&AD in 2021. We launched a DDB branded office in Munich and merged our in-house production unit, cain&abel with Gutenberg Networks. In 2021 we also expanded our dedicated gaming agency, DDB FTW in 15 markets, including Germany, Sweden and France.