DDB Duo Claims Emerging Talent Crown at AXIS Awards

DDB Group Aotearoa has taken out the hotly contested Emerging Talent Award at AXIS, reinforcing its position as one of the best breeding grounds for creative talent in the country.

Herman Ulberg, junior copywriter, and Robert Laking, junior art director were crowned the winners for their work on ground breaking campaigns such as the Gold Award winning Vogel’s Certified Toasters, Olivani Forever Young and New World’s SOS Vending Machine.

The creative duo took home a total of one Gold and five Silver Awards.

Both Herman and Rob joined DDB as part of the ‘Ride the Lightning’ graduate program and have worked under all of DDB’s creative directors.

DDB Group Aotearoa chief creative director Matty Burton said, "Herman and Rob have worked across all our brands in a very short space of time and to have managed to make a Gold Award wining piece in their second year is a great achievement. They have shown fantastic flexibility and the ability to marry creativity with commercial insight."

"We’ve both learned so much in our time at DDB, where we’ve been working on great brands, and with the best creative brains in the industry," said Herman.

Robert added, "We’re stoked to win this award. It’s come from the opportunities to work on big campaigns, and lessons from everyone at DDB Group. It’s what we signed up for."

The AXIS Awards were held on Thursday March 27th, when the Commercial Communications Council announced a complete list of winners.