adam&eveDDB Names New Creative and Planning Chiefs

adam&eveDDB has named Ant Nelson and Mike Sutherland as its new chief creative officers and promoted Will Grundy to chief strategy officer, as the agency draws on its strong bench of award-winning talent to create a new leadership team, working with CEO Miranda Hipwell.  

Ant and Mike joined adam&eveDDB as deputy executive creative directors in 2017 and were promoted to executive creative directors within 18-months. The pair have created award-winning work for a wide range of brands including CALM, John Lewis, Volkswagen, Marmite and PlayStation.  

The duo, who have worked together since meeting at advertising college in 1997, are now responsible for leading adam&eveDDB’s 40-strong creative department and overseeing the agency’s entire creative output.  

Ant and Mike cut their teeth at Saatchi & Saatchi London under the guidance of David Droga, before joining Fallon. In 2003 they moved to Publicis New York before returning to London to join Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO as creative directors. 

The creative pair have been awarded 70 D&AD Pencils, one of which is the much-coveted Black Pencil alongside 10 Yellow pencils, 39 One Show Pencils, and 52 Cannes Lions, including two Grand Prix. In 2023 they were named Creative Directors of the year by Ad Age. 

Alongside their focus on creative excellence, Ant and Mike also have a passion for developing new talent, helping to set up adam&eveDDB’s First Bite internship scheme. The programme breaks down the barriers of entry into the industry by offering creative and strategic placements to anyone, regardless of education or experience, and has resulted in a number of hires.

Will takes on his new role as chief strategy officer after nearly 14 years at the agency, most recently as head of planning. During his time at adam&eveDDB, he’s worked across a huge range of clients including Disney, Google, Marmite, PlayStation and CALM, where he has been a trustee for the last five years.   

Under his leadership, adam&eveDDB has been named APG Strategy Agency of the Year for four consecutive years, as well as IPA’s Effectiveness Company of the Year in 2024 and 2022. 

Stuart Williams has been promoted into the head of planning role. 

The promotions follow the departure of predecessors, CCO Richard Brim and CSO Martin Beverley.  

Miranda Hipwell said, “We are delighted to have such incredible talent in Ant, Mike and Will poised to step up and lead adam&eveDDB into our next chapter. Ant and Mike’s creative pedigree is second to none and there is no stronger (or nicer) duo to take the helm - leading us to even greater creative heights.  

“Will is a master of strategy and has been behind so much of our brilliant thinking and work that has grown our clients’ bottom lines. He’s also a very good egg and we couldn’t be happier that he’s taking on the mantle of CSO. As a leadership team we are fired up for 2025 and everything to come.” 

Ant and Mike said, “Having the opportunity to lead one of the most talented creative departments, in one of the world’s best agencies is a dream come true. We’re beyond excited and can’t wait to get stuck in.” 

Will added, “The only thing better than being given the opportunity to be CSO at The Home of Planning is having the chance to do it alongside Ant, Mike and Miranda. I feel excited, hugely privileged and just a little bit daunted. I can’t wait to help the agency write its exciting next chapter.” 

The appointments follow a hugely successful year for adam&eveDDB, with new business wins including Columbia Sportswear, Disney, PUMA, The Entertainer and charity CoppaFeel! The agency also picked up major awards including 14 Cannes Lions and 11 D&AD Pencils across campaigns for clients including Eurostar, Marmite, Pot Noodle, The V&A and Volkswagen and was named IPA Effectiveness Company of the Year.