DDB Names Susie Walker as First Global Chief Creative Operations Officer

DDB Worldwide has promoted Susie Walker to become the network’s first global chief creative operations officer. 

As part of the newly created role, Susie will sit on DDB’s global leadership team and report into president and global chief creative officer, Chaka Sobhani – marking the first personnel change Chaka has made since joining the agency in May. 

Working in close partnership with Chaka, Susie will be charged with cementing DDB’s reputation as the number one creative agency network globally. She will be responsible for driving the creative operations and performance for DDB’s global client businesses, working with agency leaders to identify organic and new business opportunities to create work that consumers love. 

Susie’s new remit will also include connecting DDB’s global creative community. As well as creating industry-leading talent and DE&I initiatives built specifically for the creative community from the most junior level up, to help make DDB a place where the best creative talent wants to build their careers. 

Susie joined DDB in 2022 as creative chief of staff. During her time at the global network, she has been instrumental in building creative practices and working with global creative leaders to ensure a consistently high quality of creative output across all regions. Over the past two years Susie has led the agency’s creative council process, Bullseye, in all markets and across a variety of clients, which has been credited as the driving force behind DDB winning Global Network of the Year at both Cannes Lions and D&AD in 2023. 

Chaka Sobhani, president and global chief creative officer, said, “In the six weeks I’ve been here, I’ve quickly realised Susie is one of the best and most talented people I’ve met. She’s integral to the DDB family and connecting this genuinely incredible creative community. She cares deeply about creativity and people, and getting to the best ideas for everyone and from everywhere, and helping them get out into the world. She’s just one of those people who just makes you and the work better. And she’s also a top lass to boot.”

Susie Walker, global chief creative operations officer, added, “At DDB, I get to work with some of the best talent and ideas the industry has to offer. The culture is genuinely driven by creativity and celebrates individuality alongside a real sense of togetherness and connectivity. To be a part of that is beyond thrilling, and I can’t wait to work with Chaka and our brilliant creative leaders and community across the world to help get to more work that matters for all the right reasons.” 

Prior to joining DDB, Susie spent a decade working for Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, as VP Awards & Insight, where she led the Cannes Lions awards and was at the forefront of the festival’s engagement with the industry’s creative community.