DDB Chicago Supercharges Creative Offering with Key Appointments

DDB Chicago has today announced two key appointments to its leadership team under CEO Emma Montgomery. The agency has promoted acclaimed creative, Colin Selikow, to chief creative officer. In addition, Jaime McGill has been hired as head of strategy. The duo will accelerate the agency’s creative capabilities alongside the leadership team, including Kiska Howell, who was elevated to head of business leadership last year.

Prior to being named CCO, Colin spent the last six years at DDB Chicago, and most recently held the title of executive creative director. His work has spanned several markets and iconic brands including Coors Light, McDonalds, and Wrigley Mars (Skittles, Starburst, and TWIX). Work on behalf of his clients has been recognised by over 300 international awards such as Cannes Lions, D&AD, Effies, The ANDYs, One Show, and The Art Director’s Club.

Among the most successful creative leaders, Colin ranked number one executive creative director in the world by The One Club in 2023 and made the Top 10 list of Executive Creative Director’s at the 2023 D&AD Awards.

Jaime joins DDB from FCB Chicago where she previously held the title of EVP, group strategic planning director. A seasoned leader across a wide range of brand and consumer strategy, Jaime brings to DDB diverse experience in both driving large, complex businesses and building small brands from the ground up. Her past clients have included: Kimberly-Clark, Clorox, Allstate, Campbell’s, Marshalls, Chili’s, and Kellogg’s, among others.

Said Emma Montgomery, CEO, DDB Chicago, “This is a bright new day for DDB Chicago, gaining not just one but two incredible new product leaders at our helm. This is such well-deserved promotion for Colin who has been fundamental to the depth and breadth of the creative product and reputation of the agency across his six years. And I couldn’t be happier to have him take on this role as we welcome Jaime and her proven strategic magic. I am a huge believer in the potency of creative and strategic partnerships as the powerhouse of an agency, and in Colin and Jaime, we have this in spades. I’m excited for what’s to come, as we deliver big bold creativity on behalf of our clients at a time when they need it most.”

Said Colin Selikow, chief creative officer, DDB Chicago, “It’s an honour and a privilege to take on the CCO role at DDB Chicago. Sincere thanks to Emma, Kiska, and the rest of the leadership team for their support, and steadfast commitment to creativity as the dominant source of growth. I look forward to continuing to work with some of the brightest minds in the business at DDB Chicago as we look to elevate our creative vision for the agency and position DDB at forefront of the second creative revolution.”

Said Jamie McGill, head of strategy, DDB Chicago, “I’m incredibly excited at the opportunity to be joining Emma and the team at DDB Chicago – an agency I’ve long admired – at such a pivotal moment for the agency. I’m passionate about providing clarity in ambiguity to unlock creativity that solves complex challenges and can’t wait to roll my sleeves up and get to work.”

2023 proved to be a successful year DDB Chicago, creatively. The agency was named Global Agency of the Year at the Gerety Awards and Regional Network of the Year for North America at the LIA Awards. In addition, DDB Chicago picked up one Silver and two Bronze Lions at the 2023 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June.