DDB Is Nz Agency Of The Year
Strong all-round business achievements in 2003 have culminated in advertising agency DDB and its CEO, Martin O’Halloran,
being named AdMedia’s Fairfax Agency of the Year (billings over $25 million category) and CEO of the Year.
They received their awards at an industry function in Auckland last night. (16/04/04).
Others to be honoured were AIM Proximity, which is Agency of the Year (billings under $25 million), Clemenger BBDO
finance director Mike Higgins (Young Executive of the Year), and McCann-Erickson managing director, Glenda Wynyard, who
won the Wildcard Award – the only award which cannot be entered (the judges pick their winner from the entire industry).
These are NZ’s only awards that reward business excellence, with creative achievements, for once, taking a back seat.
The judges were Cindy Mitchener (formerly Saatch & Saatchi media director, Touchdown CEO, TV3 ad manager; now with strategic business consultant Mitchener Cammell),
Graham Medcalf (until recently J Walter Thompson NZ general manager), and Peter Spencer (owner of ad industry recruiter
Marsden Inch).
Of DDB and O’Halloran, the judges said, “Marty has turned a very good agency into a great one. He strives for perfection
across the board, and 2003 culminated in his best year yet. He’s an allrounder at the highest level. AIM Proximity:
“This agency increased billings by about 20% and revenue by about 30% which tells us they’re running an efficient and
improving enterprise, and at the same time, they are a consistent competitor in effectiveness and creativity awards. A
clever, substantial business.” Mike Higgins: “An outstanding candidate. It was especially pleasing to see a finance
person held in such high regard. We see him as a future CEO of the Year.” Glenda Wynyard: “Her promotion from a
background in media was an inspired one that reflects very well on McCann-Erickson management – especially so because it
steps outside the criteria that normally govern the appointment of agency CEOs, who usually come in the white,
middle-class suit mould. She is a passionate professional who follows up and always delivers what she promises.”