DDB forms NORD DDB with Andreas Dahlqvist as Nordic Chief Creative Officer

DDB unites the agencies in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki to form one agency, NORD DDB, with Andreas Dahlqvist returning as Nordic Chief Creative Officer in September. The agency is founded on local commitment and network strength, with an equal stake held by the local partners and DDB. 

Dahlqvist, who rejoins DDB after six years in New York, most recently from the role as CCO of Grey New York, will head up the agency with Nordic Chief Executive Officer, Niclas Melin. The duo will shape and lead the newly formed 'micro-network' and agency set up together with the other local partners.

Melin says: "This is of course great news on many levels - for our culture, clients and employees, but also for me personally. I have had the privilege to work with Andreas and know what a great business partner he is. I'm really looking forward to working with him again and to launch this new agency together."

Dahlqvist adds: "There's definitely something in the water. The Nordics is a unique mix of talent, tech, pop culture and inventiveness fueled by a need to survive the long winters. It feels great to get a chance to help write the next chapter of the DDB story in the region, at a time when our industry is going through the next big creative revolution. I think this part of the world is uniquely set up to figure out what true creative agencies should look like going forward."

The new agency will harness the combined force of talent in the four countries. It's an open model without borders, and an open culture that embraces both regional similarities and local differences. This way of working is creating a stronger and more fluid set up for regional and international clients, whilst also adding more creative firepower on a local level by fully tapping into the bigger collective agency brain. It's a chance for talent to have a bigger playing field, to be able to work in Copenhagen, Oslo or Helsinki one week and in Stockholm the next.

Amir Kassaei, Chief Creative Officer DDB Worldwide, says:

"DDB in the Nordics was always a powerhouse and a very important region for our network. With Andreas who is without a doubt, one of the best creative leaders in the industry, and Niclas leadership, they will elevate NORD DDB to one of the best and most innovative agencies in the world. It's like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are joining forces to dominate football - I am excited."

Pietro Tramontin CEO DDB EMEA adds:

"For the past 10 years, DDB in the Nordics has performed extremely well and I'm proud of their achievements. With the arrival of Andreas and the new financially and operationally unified structure, I am convinced that this success will continue in years to come."

Additional info:

Andreas joins after six years in New York - most recently from the role as CCO of Grey New York. As CCO of Grey New York Andreas has led the agency to its two most successful years creatively in the agency's history with a total of 49 lions this year and last. This year the agency also ranked as the #1 agency in the US for the first time ever and #2 globally in Cannes Lions, with award winning work across a broad range of large clients.

DDB in the Nordic region has close to 400 employees with hub offices in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki with additional offices in Gothenburg and Malmö, serving clients such as McDonald's, Elkjøp/Elgiganten,Volkswagen, Samsung, Øresundsbron and Vattenfall across the region. The group also operates with a full service production set up.