DDB North America has announced the appointment of Rodrigo Jatene to Chief Creative Officer, DDB Chicago to lead creative vision, culture, and product at the region’s largest office.
Jatene will partner with CEO Andrea Diquez and the Chicago leadership team, including newly appointed Chief Strategy Officer Milo Chao and Sandra Alfaro, Head of Business Leadership to create Unexpected Works for clients including Molson Coors, Mars, McDonald’s, and U.S. Army.
Diquez said: “My goal for the DDB Chicago office has always been to create the most diverse team possible, varying in experience, background, and thought, bringing unexpected thinking from unexpected places. Rodrigo is the person to take our agency and our creative product to a whole new level and I am excited about what we will be able to accomplish together.”
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Jatene comes to DDB Chicago with over 22 years of experience and a number of prestigious accolades over the course of his career, for brands in almost every industry. He has led some of the most compelling work in the world in recent years, with data, technology and a careful humanity at the core of everything he does. He has spent time at Leo Burnett Tailor Made, DM9DDB, AgenciaClick, EURO RSCG, McCann Erickson Madrid, and Wunderman Brazil. Most recently, Jatene was Chief Creative Officer of Grey West, where he oversaw the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices and led the overall vision, culture, and product of the agency. He also ran Grey’s Regional Creative council in North America and served as a permanent member of the Grey Global Creative Board.
Jatene said: “I’m honored to join the legendary DDB Chicago and to be part of the team that is leading it into the future. It’s not every day that you’re faced with a project with such an ambitious vision, fueled by an impressive list of clients and a hugely talented and diverse team, both eager to build and transform brands and businesses through the power of creativity and cultural relevance. I couldn’t be more excited and in line with what Andrea has masterfully set out to build, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Before moving to the U.S., Jatene served as Co-President and Chief Creative Officer of Grey Brazil for four years. Under his leadership, the agency landed 18 new brands and won more creative and effectiveness awards than ever before, becoming the most creative and innovative shop within the network for three years in a row, and leading Grey LATAM’s back-to-back Cannes Lions’ Regional Network of the Year wins in 2017 and 2018.
Throughout his career, Jatene has won 60 Lions, including a Grand-Prix in 2018, as well as numerous medals at some of the most prestigious global industry festivals including, D&AD, OneShow, Clio, LIA and over 40 Grand Prix at shows like Andy Awards, Effie Awards, New York Festivals, El Ojo de Iberoamérica and CCSP. Over the years, he has had the honor to serve as juror and chair at festivals like D&AD, Cannes Lions, Andy Awards, New York Festivals, El Ojo, Wave Festival, and CCSP.
Justin Thomas-Copeland, CEO DDB North America said: “Creativity is the most powerful force in business and Rodrigo brings the full armory of creative excellence, leadership and experience to DDB Chicago. He will move our clients’ business and bring the unexpected through amazing ideas and experiences which sit at the intersection of data, technology and human emotion. Exciting times ahead.”
