Vanessa Boueyres has been appointed as managing partner on the Westpac account at DDB Sydney, replacing Sasha Firth who recently departed, Mediaweek can reveal.
Beginning her career in her native Paris at TBWA, Boueyres has amassed over 20 years’ experience in marketing and agencies, working on brands including Nivea, Danone, and BWS.
“I’m thrilled that Vanessa is joining DDB. She is laser focused on effectiveness, restless in her ambition, deeply passionate about creativity, and fun to be around,” said DDB Group Sydney CEO, Sheryl Marjoram.
Prior to joining DDB, Boueyres was head of marketing at sustainable designer furniture B-Corp company Koskela. She has also served as head of marketing at the Woolworths-owned Macro Wholefoods Market, and head of brand communications at Woolworths Food Co.
On the agency side, she was a managing partner at M&C Saatchi Group, leading Tourism Australia and the global Come and Say G’Day campaign, which was recently awarded an Effie. She has also been general manager and head of account management at Y&R (now part of VML).
“Her experience both client side and ours makes her a real asset. Her impact is already being felt and I can’t wait for what’s next,” Marjoram added.
Boueyres said that “the opportunity to work at DDB with Sheryl and the leadership team and on the premier Westpac account was an opportunity too good to pass up. I’m excited to move back into agencies, where my true passion lies.
“My career across Europe and Australia has been dedicated to leading change for iconic brands and I can’t wait to bring that experience to DDB and Westpac.”
Firth resigned after five years on the Westpac account, which has been with DDB for over a decade. She has moved onto a contract role with creative agency Special.
Prior to DDB, Firth was managing director at Y&R AUNZ – now part of WPP’s VML.
Firth told Mediaweek: “I loved my time at DDB, but it was time to mix things up. I’m excited to be reunited with Lindsey Evans [Special partner and co-founder] and working with some incredible talent across a number of clients and ‘special’ projects.”
Last week, DDB Melbourne promoted creative partner Giles Watson to deputy executive creative director, and group creative director James Cowie to creative partner – head of copy.
Back in Sydney, group creative partner on the McDonald’s account, Cam Hoelter, left in January. Hoelter joined DDB in August 2022; previously, he was executive creative director at CHE Proximity. Hoelter is now working in a freelance capacity as a creative director and illustrator.
Earlier this year, DDB Sydney launched a revival of the classic Big Mac chant in collaboration with media agency OMD.
The work leverages DDB’s creative legacy with the fast food brand – the original Big Mac chant was created by DDB’s then creative leader, Keith Reinhard, who is still chair emeritus of DDB today.
Last week, McDonald’s and DDB Sydney’s latest work launched: Things just got feisty, in partnership with the Shift 20 initiative.
In April, Mediaweek revealed Fran Clayton was leaving DDB Group after almost 10 years to become AUNZ CSO at Ogilvy. At the start of the year, Tribal DDB MD Davy Rennie moved to Publicis to become CEO at Digitas and Balance.
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Top image: Vanessa Boueyres