Andy Fackrell joins DDB New Zealand as ECD

Fackrell will hold the fort while current ECD Tony Talbot takes a 12-month secondment as regional creative director on DDB Europe's Volkswagen account. He takes on the job from a nine-year stint at 180 Amsterdam.

Talbot says he is thrilled to have someone of Fackrell's calibre holding the reins in his absence. "Andy is a bit of a legend', he said. "His work at 180 (Amsterdam) for adidas has redefined TV advertising in the last decade - there really isn’t a more capable pair of hands to leave the agency with.”

Fackrell has spent much of his career outside of New Zealand. Over nine years at 180 Amsterdam, he produced work for both adidas and the New Zealand All Blacks rugby union squad. Prior to this, he was with Weiden + Kennedy Portland, primarily handling its Nike account.

“Andy was our top choice,” said Marty O’Halloran, chairman, DDB Australia and New Zealand. “A Kiwi with unmatched global experience – that’s a superb combination and exactly the type of talent who will push the high benchmark already set by Toby.”

Fackrell himself said he was looking forward to the homecoming, “I’m looking forward to getting stuck into doing work with the culture I grew up in. It’s a bit of a reconnect, a chance to be with my family, and to help with some great work."