DDB New York Expands Strategy Department with Five Key Hires

DDB Worldwide announced today the appointment of five strategists at DDB New York: Tim Polder as Director of Content Strategy; Chiara Martini as Director of Social Strategy; Neil Simpson as Associate Planning Director; Amanda Moreno as Social Strategist; and Claudia Steer as Group Strategy Director. They will report to DDB New York’s Chief Strategy Officer Stuart Hazlewood.

Hazelwood commented, "It has been a strong start to 2016 for DDB New York on the new business and campaign front and we are building some great momentum. However, we all know that everything starts with great talent so it is awesome to welcome such a brilliant group of people into the agency."

Tim Polder, Director of Content Strategy

Originally from the Netherlands, Tim Polder joins DDB New York from London and Amsterdam where he distinguished himself as a digital strategist at Saatchi & Saatchi, Cheil Worldwide, at his own consultancy firm Badabiem Badaboem, and at Buutvrij for life, the “only whiplash-marketing agency in the world.” For the past ten years, Polder has worked on various creative campaigns across branded content, digital, service and product development, and experiential marketing, including the launch of a range of Samsung products such as the tech giant’s flagship phones and TV products, as well as Samsung’s ‘Avengers – Age of Ultron’ and Rugby partnerships. He has also worked with Playth1ng, a design and innovation studio, to craft a digital tool called ‘Clear.as’ that allows for better collaboration at creative organizations.

Throughout his career, Polder has won Webby Awards, Epica Awards, and has been shortlisted for Cannes Lions, among other accolades. During his spare time, Polder is an activist who dedicates himself to changing legislation with the #PutRedBack initiative, helping the LGBT community to donate blood without experiencing discrimination (for which he was shortlisted by the Best Awards).

“I look forward to the new adventures that await me in the United States,” commented Polder. “It feels great to be part of the awesomely talented team at DDB New York to help solve our clients’ business and communication needs.”

Chiara Martini, Director of Social Strategy

Chiara Martini moved from Sao Paulo to New York and joined DDB as Director of Social Strategy, responsible for social and content strategy for a number of key accounts like Clean&Clear, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Huawei, Cotton, Qualcomm, State Farm and others. 

For the last five years, Martini was responsible for Digital & Media Strategy at Heineken Brazil, working with all brands across the portfolio like Heineken, Sol and Desperados. With more than 13 years of experience in digital & social advertising, she has also worked on the agency side for brands such as Johnnie Walker, Dove, Cadbury, Hellmann’s, and ABI.

Martini is also a Board Member at BCMA South America – Branded Content Marketing Association and at ASAS.BR.COM, an International Collective of Storydoers.

"I’m eager to take on a number of the most exciting and dynamic accounts in advertising,” said Martini. “At DDB we believe that Social Media is more than a media, is a behavior, and brands that know how to navigate it through powerful stories will be the ones that will disrupt their markets.”

Neil Simpson, Associate Planning Director

Native to Scotland, Neil Simpson previously served as a brand strategist at DDB in London, where he worked for major pharmaceutical brands including Excedrin and OneTouch. Prior to his time at DDB, Simpson spent three years as a planner at freuds, a London-based full-service communications and public relations firm, managing global brands including Pepsi Max, Quaker Oats, Guinness, Asda and Mars. Simpson holds a Masters in Philosophy from Cambridge University and is a contributor to Huffington Post.

“I’m thrilled to be continuing my journey with DDB at our New York office,” said Simpson. “I look forward to growing with the team as a strategist and being a part of the exciting agency momentum.”

In his new position, Simpson will work across several agency accounts including multiple Unilever brands, OneTouch, Stat Strip and Topps.

Amanda Moreno, Social Strategist

Amanda Moreno joins DDB New York from R/GA, where she focused on digital and social-first initiatives for beauty giant L’Oreal Paris, and she’s also worked closely with Intermix, Calypso St. Barth and other names within the fashion and beauty space. 

In her new role, Moreno will be working closely with the strategy team to manage campaigns, develop social content, and communicate directly with clients to execute social and content tactics for the brand like Neutrogena, Aveeno and Clean and Clear.

Moreno said, “Everyone knows DDB’s legacy on Madison Avenue, but it’s also a pivotal moment for pushing forward social and digital initiatives that inspire the consumer. I’m excited to contribute to some really iconic brands.”

Claudia Steer, Group Creative Director

Claudia joins DDB as Group Strategy Director, overseeing strategy for the Unilever and Hasbro accounts.

Claudia comes to us from Leo Burnett in Chicago. She most recently led the strategy for McDonald’s US brand initiatives, and played a key role on the team that helped grow the overall business for the agency over the past few years. She also worked on Sprint and the agency pro-bono client, the Greater Chicago Food Depository. During her time there, she championed several diversity initiatives, - No.2.66 and Blank Canvs – programs aimed at bringing nontraditional talent into advertising.

Prior to her time at Leo Burnett, Claudia was a part of the cultural anthropology team at Crispin Porter & Bogusky in Miami. There she brought trenchant human insights to clients as diverse as Coke Zero, Under Armour, Best Buy and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami.  She has also spent time at StrawberryFrog New York.

As a former high school teacher, Claudia maintains a penchant for mentoring young people. She was recently recognized by MAFA Chicago as a Creative Catalyst for her work on diversity within advertising; she hopes to continue to nurture both young women and minorities both inside and outside of DDB.