BBDO Group Germany Appoints Christian Rätsch as CEO

Christian Rätsch has been appointed as the new CEO of BBDO Group Germany with effect from April 2023. He will have overall responsibility for the BBDO Group's agencies in Germany and will also be a member of the board of BBDO worldwide. The agency manager joins BBDO from the Publicis Group. He succeeds Marianne Heiss, who has decided to leave the BBDO Group and will take on new responsibilities.

Christian Rätsch has had a long career in advertising and marketing. For the past 10 years he has led the agency brand Saatchi & Saatchi, which is part of the Publicis network; since 2020 he has also been responsible for Leo Burnett and was a member of the Group's Country Leadership Team.

Under his leadership, Publicis creative agencies have won numerous awards, including ‘Agency of the Year’. Prior to this, Christian Rätsch spent 10 years on the corporate side at Deutsche Telekom, where he was responsible for various areas of marketing and sales. With his appointment as CEO of the BBDO Group, Christian Rätsch returns to his professional roots: he started his career in 2000 as a strategic consultant at BBDO Consulting (now Batten & Company). Christian Rätsch has four children, lives in Dusseldorf, is strongly committed to the interests of the creative industry and plays an active role in industry associations.

Commenting on his appointment, Christian Rätsch said "The BBDO Group has undergone an impressive development and transformation over the past few years. I look forward to working with the outstanding agency brands and clients across all industries, the talented and versatile teams of the Group across Germany and the global network and return to my professional roots with great pleasure. Now returning at Group level fills me with pride, and the necessary respect for the great task ahead."

The 51-year-old succeeds Marianne Heiss, who has been CEO since 2019 and has overseen the successful transformation of BBDO Group Germany over the past years. After a total of 27 years in various national and international management positions at BBDO, Marianne Heiss is leaving the group at her own request to take on a new role, while continuing to serve on several supervisory boards in Germany. 

Andrew Robertson, president and CEO BBDO Worldwide said “I am delighted to welcome Christian back to BBDO. Since he left us a consultant all those years ago he has gained valuable experience and proven himself in client and agency management roles. Under his leadership I am convinced our Group will build on the momentum that has been established and thrive in the future. I want to thank Marianne once again for the wonderful work she did getting us to where we are, and wish her every success in her new role.“

Marianne Heiss said "I am delighted that we have found such a versatile and experienced personality. Christian is a wonderful colleague whom I have known and respected for many years. We share the passion for brands and people, a focus on client satisfaction and a love for creative excellence, culture and collaboration." Marianne Heiss and Christian Rätsch will be using the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

Christian Rätsch will lead the Group together with Frank Hahn (chief creative officer) and Jasper Stahl (chief financial officer).