DDB Sydney has created a new role, executive creative director, and lured Tara Ford from TBWA Melbourne to fill it.

She will work with DDB chief creative officer, who has helped the agency to consolidate McDonald’s and win Virgin Australia.

Ford comes with seven years’ experience at TBWA, including nearly two as creative director, plus 16 Cannes Lions, including a Grand Prix and 11 shortlists across five different campaigns won during her time there.

Tara Ford

View her work here.

Ben Welsh commented, “I’ve always wanted to hire Tara and I’m really looking forward to her adding firepower to our already very talented team.”

Ford has worked in Australia, New York and London in brands such as including freelance stints at Wieden + Kennedy, M&C Saatchi London and Channel 4. She worked as a senior writer at TBWA London for five years early in her career, 1999-2004.

She has worked on major brands such as Nike, ANZ, PlayStation, Medibank and Nissan, and among her awarded work is the GAYTM campaign for ANZ Bank, which was named the Best Direct campaign in the World for 2014 by the Big Won and #1 Best of Print/Outdoor/Design for 2014 by Creativity Online. Overall, she has won more than 200 awards over her career, both for creativity and effectiveness.

“Tara is a fantastic fit for DDB’s culture. Our focus is on creating a talented and diverse culture, because we know that’s what leads to brilliant creative,” Welsh added.

Ford is also a mentor to young creative talent through Cannes See it Be it and Young Lions programs, Miami AdSchool and AWARD School. She was Australia’s representative at this year’s Cannes Lions on the Promo and Activation jury, and has judged and chaired various award shows including New York Festivals, AWARD Award (Aus), Adfest (Asia), AADC (Aus), Creative Circle (UK) and the Roses Awards (UK).

Ford: commented, “It has been a wonderful five and a half years at TBWA but I’m ready for a new challenge.

“I feel incredibly excited and energised to be joining DDB Sydney. It’s a phenomenal agency with both amazing clients and talented people, I can’t wait to get stuck in.”