DDB Sydney has promoted Tara Ford to chief creative officer after joining the agency two years ago as executive creative director. Ford becomes the first female chief creative officer of a major Australian advertising agency.

Throughout her career, she has worked in agencies across London, Amsterdam, Melbourne and Sydney, including Wieden + Kennedy and TBWA and has become one of the most established creatives in the region with hundreds of awards under her belt, for both creativity and effectiveness, including a Cannes Grand Prix.

Ford has been at the spearhead of campaigns for McDonald’s, Virgin Australia and Volkswagen at DDB. Her contribution played a significant role in DDB winning Campaign Brief Agency of the Year, as well as #2 Pacific Agency of the Year and being one of the top performing Australian agencies at the Effie Awards.

She is also passionate about giving back to the industry, mentoring young creative talent through the Cannes See It Be It program, RARE and AWARD School. She is also a member of the AWARD Committee and on the board of the Communications Council.

Ben Welsh, who recently became national chief creative officer across the Sydney and Melbourne offices, stated, “Tara has been a fearless leader to the creative department in her time at DDB and still the best hire I’ve ever made in my 30-year career. She has attracted great talent to the agency and is a role model to creatives in DDB and the wider industry.”

DDB Sydney managing director, Priya Patel, added, “Tara’s promotion shows how serious we are about creativity as a business. We believe creativity is the most powerful force in business and Tara plays an instrumental role in achieving our mission of being the most creative agency in Australia.”

Ford commented, “I’m exhilarated to take on this new role at DDB. It has been a superb environment to flourish and learn. The talented people here have been incredibly supportive, special thanks to Ben and the team. We have some amazing clients who desire world-class creative. This is a killer combination. I’m genuinely excited about where we can take the agency next.”