DDB Chicago Snags The Martin Agency's Jonathan Sackett as Chief Digital Officer: Sackett Joins CCO Ewan Paterson in New Position for the Agency

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Mar 04, 2011, 02:13 ET

CHICAGO, March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DDB Chicago announced today that it has named Jonathan Sackett EVP, Chief Digital Officer, Managing Director, in a new position for the agency.

"In the last few months, we've taken major steps toward transforming this agency into the creative shop Ewan and I want it to be," said Mark O'Brien, President of DDB North America. "This new senior leadership position is more than a traditional CDO – it's designed to ensure that we bring the latest innovations and technologies to all our client solutions. Ewan and I are confident that Jonathan is exactly the person to help raise the bar for what clients expect of their agencies."

In this role, Sackett is charged with leading the agency in further developing best-of-class digital skills and business solutions. He will also lead planning growth in the area of digital communication platforms while directing digital business development with new and existing clients.

"I have always known DDB to possess lightning in a bottle," said Sackett. "And we're going to build on the great digital work I've seen from DDB to release that lightning. It's never an easy decision to leave a great job, but considering what I've seen taking shape at DDB, I'm confident that we're not going to compete in a game of inches with the industry – we're going to change the game."

Sackett joins DDB Chicago from The Martin Agency, where he served as EVP, Chief Digital Officer. He is largely credited with leading both the new business growth and the digital restructuring that led the agency to be recognized as one of the top five advertising agencies in the U.S. in 2009, according to AdAge. While at Martin, Sackett worked on clients including Wal-Mart, GEICO, UPS, Manpower, Tylenol, Pizza Hut, ESPN, Discover Card, Kraft, Microsoft, Expedia, Hanes, Barely There, American Cancer Society and FreeCreditScore.com. Sackett also has extensive experience developing and growing agency digital offerings from his digital leadership positions at agencies including DraftFCB and Arnold.

"Jonathan will undoubtedly prove to be a great change agent for DDB Chicago, helping to take our work to new levels across digital, mobile and social media platforms," added Ewan Paterson, Chief Creative Officer of DDB Chicago. "We share the same vision for DDB and the type of ideas we want to be famous for. I'm certain that DDB will benefit immensely from Jon's love of ideas, digital thinking, new business and cowboy boots."

In 2002 Sackett and a partner founded the International Association of Internet Professionals, www.internetprofessionals.org, a nonprofit trade association established to provide an international social space where individuals involved in the digital industry meet, communicate and collaborate. Through this association Sackett establishes – and continues to evolve – content strategy for published articles relevant to members. In addition to growing membership into the thousands, he also developed strategic partnerships with some of the Internet's most well-known brands, including Google, Wired, E-Bay and Amazon.

About DDB

DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc (www.ddb.com) ranks among the top five consolidated advertising and marketing services global networks, according to Advertising Age. Consistently one of the most awarded networks globally for creative excellence, DDB was Campaign's 2009 Global Network of the Year, the 2010 Spikes Asia Network of the Year, 2010 Eurobest Network of the Year, 2010 Campaign Asia Pacific Creative Network of the Year and captured both the Cyber Grand Prix and Film Craft Grand Prix at the 2010 International Advertising Festival in Cannes. With more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, the DDB Group helps grow the value and influence of leading brands around the world. DDB Worldwide is part of Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC).

SOURCE DDB Worldwide