DDB S’pore hunts for planning head as David Tang and Neil Johnson step back from pitching
DDB Singapore is looking for a head of planning to run the agency’s pitching operation as long-time CEO David Tang and head of creative Neil Johnson step back after 17 years running new business.
The agency has launched an irreverent online recruitment campaign headed by a two-head llama gif to represent Tang and Johnson, who the ad says will no longer to involved in pitching to focus on existing clients.
In the ad, which has been posted on DDB’s blog, a jointly signed memo declares that after 593 pitches contested together, Tang and Johnson were looking for a “maverick thinker, an evangelical pitcher, an obsessive hunter of insights, and an all-round playmaker” to replace them.
“We’ve argued, fought, planned, plotted, agreed, won and lost together. And now we’ve decided to call it quits together. We’re no longer going to plan new business pitches,” the ad reads. “Instead we’re going to focus single-mindedly on the growing list of very active DDB Group clients.”
DDB Singapore’s head of planning will be expected to compete for at least 10 pitches a year, groom young talent, and “do some very brave and effective work for serious clients,” reads the ad.
It clarifies, however, that Tang and Johnson, who have worked at DDB Singapore for more than 30 years combined, will continue to play an influential role in business development.
“Brace yourself to feed the creative ambition and strategic appetite of two hungry and hard-driving Heads who will be around for a while. It isn’t time to take it easy at DDB yet. And it never will be.”
In response to a question from Mumbrella on how Tang and Johnson would handle relinquishing control of a pitch machine they have led for so long, Tang said: “We’re drawn to pitches like boys to a candy store. We’ll try to let go but we’ll always be tempted.”
“Chances are, we’ll be sneaking behind the chaps coaxing a better idea out of the pitch! We do love working the work – we’ re practitioners. We’ll have to learn to be the coach, and not the striker. We’ll save ourselves for the big games.”
The new planning head is to work alongside Carlos Palacios, the agency’s head of planning since 2011, who is to focus on regional business.
One of the most pompous recruitment ads Ive read in a long long time….it seems that the idea is as much to praise themselves as to recruit.
No work from this agency has ever struck me as being creatively or strategically remarkable….as for the yards and yards of proactive stuff…what can you say about an ad with a big picture and tiny logo?
ReplyBig shoes to fill. Even tougher if there’s going to be a lot of “sneaking up from behind”. Hope there’s a real job here.
ReplyWhen you’ve had one of the longest track record of blue chip biz wins like these two, it’s understandable to make plenty of enemies / critics / haters from the ocean of competitors they crushed along the way.
So what if they sound pompous ?
Their track record is openly acknowledged.
At least it’s laced with the ability to laugh at themselves.
Many blow hards have tried using little sg as a stepping stone to bigger regional positions. These two outlasted many of them and didn’t have to leave the red dot to ascend . Regional elevation came to them.
To be honest, I don’t envy whoever is gonna send in their CV for the gig. As long as these two are still calling the shots and joined at the hips, I can’t see the third head to be able to be his own man or her own woman.
This is a Batman & Robin show. Not Kirk, Spock & Bones.
ReplyOne of the most pompous recruitment ads Ive read in a long long time….it seems that the idea is as much to praise themselves as to recruit.
ReplyNo work from this agency has ever struck me as being creatively or strategically remarkable….as for the yards and yards of proactive stuff…what can you say about an ad with a big picture and tiny logo?
… “maverick thinker, an evangelical pitcher, an obsessive hunter of insights, and an all-round playmaker” …
If youre any of the above, you could turn out to be better than them….and that means you won’t be very happy there…if youre a yes man or woman, step right up.
ReplyWonder if they put much thought into that visual….looks like two headstrong personalities pulling in different directions. Must be a nigtmare trying to please them both.
Would also love to know out of 593 pitches, how many were won?
Replydoes this also means i get both their pay-checks combined?
ReplyYou don’t need a strategy to do a ddb ad…..just make sure there is at least one hero singlish word in the concept. That’s their ‘thing’….so local, man.
ReplyAre there no existing planning leads within DDB?
ReplyRecommend this chap, Harri. (https://www.mumbrella.asia/2013/12/hari-ramanathan-state-asian-planning/). Only because he may be the only planner who has openly endorsed perspectives of the two-headed beast. Gut says he’s also affordable for a regional hire. Risk: we may soon see a three headed llama.
ReplyHave your say