Auckland, New Zealand – DDB Aotearoa has welcomed two new members to its strategy team, namely Charlotte Marks and Laura Davies as joint heads of planning. 

Both experienced strategists, Davies and Marks say they are excited to be working together to help take DDB’s planning team to new heights. 

Previously the strategy director at DDB Aotearoa, Marks joined the team two years ago and immediately made an impact, delivering strong results across a vast client portfolio.

Speaking on her appointment, she said, “DDB has a special knack for developing both longstanding, emotive brand campaigns and timely, innovative creative solutions. The planning team play an important role in the process, identifying powerful insights that go on to strike a chord with New Zealanders and produce a positive outcome for our clients. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Laura and Rupe to strengthen and grow DDB’s planning team.”

Meanwhile, Davies was previously the strategy director at Saatchi & Saatchi, and she brings in over a decade of experience working across telecommunications, government, FMCG and retail in both New Zealand and abroad. 

“Rupert and Charlotte are both brilliant strategic minds but also genuinely wonderful people. When Rupert reached out, I was only weeks away from having my daughter and while many agencies would have ended discussions there, Rupert and the team at DDB didn’t even blink. They have waited patiently for me to finish my maternity leave and their flexi policies have made it so easy for me to step into this role as a new mum – it’s wonderful to finally be here,” Davies said.

DDB Aotearoa Chief Strategy Officer Rupert Price said, “Charlotte has proven herself to be an incredible strategic mind and her promotion is well-deserved. I’m looking forward to working with Charlotte in running the Planning team and ensuring our strategic product continues to go from strength to strength.”

He added, “Charlotte and Laura are already proving themselves to be a formidable double act and I’m excited to see what we do together as we continue to build New Zealand’s biggest and best agency strategy team.”

Australia – BMF, the creative agency based in Sydney, has appointed three new hires to strengthen its planning department, namely Anna Bollinger, the new head of planning, Jessica Sutanto, the new senior strategic planner, and Benjamin Yap, the junior planner.

Bollinger’s career spans over 14 years in the advertising industry, with broad experience in QSR, FMCG, service, and retail industries. Bollinger’s appointment is a comeback to BMF, having started her career in the agency as a grad. From BMF then, she moved on to work with advertising agency DDB, and then independent creative firm The Special Group.

Commenting on her appointment, Bollinger said, “I was fortunate to start my career at BMF and so rejoining the team feels like coming home. What’s more, it’s my joy to be invited to work on ALDI: one of the most pioneering and entertaining brands.”

Meanwhile, Sutanto joins from DDB where she worked on large accounts including Westpac and McDonald’s, and dabbled in brand work with Netflix, Neutrogena, Carefree, and Pharma. 

And lastly, Yap has worked in multiple social content roles at creative companies including Red Engine, Ogilvy PR, and most recently at BMF’s sister agency Orchard. He brings with him over five years of experience in delivering social campaigns for the likes of consumer and healthcare brands, and working with clients such as PepsiCo, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Microsoft, among others.

Christina Aventi, BMF’s chief strategy officer, commented that they feel lucky to have three stellar planners “stomping the floor” at Pyrmont. 

“Ben is a beautiful soul and a modern-day planner whose background will teach us a thing or two. Jess is a licorice all-sort of a planner, equally comfortable in the lofty heights of brand and deep in the nitty-gritty of connections planning. I will likely be reporting to her one day. And Anna, well, what can I say? When I asked people for recommendations for the best head senior planner around, her name ALWAYS came up,” said Aventi.

In August this year, BMF has also announced the return of its former senior copywriter, Lucy Kough to become its new creative director. She brings over 20 years of experience across direct, brand, media, digital, and experiential, as well as regional, and CRM.