Sydney-based creative communications firm The 6AM Agency has announced the appointment of Chiquita King as partner and CEO.

King will join The 6AM Agency with two decades of agency experience building and leading integrated teams across data, strategy, digital, creative, production and client service.

She commenced her career in South Africa with eight years at creative agency The Jupiter Drawing Room, rising to the position of group head.

In 2009, King migrated to Australia, joining customer experience agency Lavender as group business director.

King then joined Leo Burnett in 2013, followed by M&C Saatchi as group head leading the Optus account, and most recently has spent the last three years as managing partner at DDB Sydney.

Joining as a shareholder, King’s appointment further bolsters The 6AM Agency’s partnership team which includes founder and wellbeing thought leader Gillian Fish; and Chris Savage, founder of Ogilvy PR (now opr) and former chief operating officer of STW Group (now WPP AUNZ).

Fish said: “Chiquita’s proven track record in understanding the challenges facing clients and her deep leadership experience delivering integrated work, coupled with a passion for building high-performing teams, brings to 6AM an outstanding partner and leader who will take the agency on the next stage of growth.”

Savage said: “We are delighted to have Chiquita join 6AM. Those who know her will know what an outstanding leader and person we have joining us as a partner.

“Evolving agencies from pure earned and owned to providing broader integrated creative agency offerings requires grit and integrated experience. With Chiquita, we know we have added the right firepower and agency leadership nous to help accelerate our growth.”

Commenting on her appointment, King said: “I have loved my time at DDB, particularly the last 12 months. I’ve made the work of my life, experienced a brilliant client partnership with Westpac, and have made lifelong friends.

“Being a recent graduate of The Marketing Academy has been a big catalyst for reflection and fuelled my desire to make my own mark on an industry I love.

“As a partner and shareholder, 6AM has given me an opportunity to do just that. I will wrap my arms around different challenges and grow the agency beyond its very respected owned and earned heritage.”

Commenting on her departure from DDB, chief executive Andrew Little said in a statement to B&T: “CK has led the Westpac business superbly over the last three years. We understand her desire to run an agency and we wish her all the best. The search begins now for one of the best account roles in the country.”