DDB New Zealand has nabbed Damon Stapleton as chief creative officer with Saatchi & Saatchi Australia hunting globally for a new executive creative director following Stapleton’s resignation.

Yesterday Saacthi & Saatchi announced their hunt with Stapleton set to leave the agency in mid-June.

Stapleton will join Shane Bradnick who has been confirmed as permanent executive creative director.

Justin Mowday, CEO DDB New Zealand, said he is absolutely rapt to have Damon join the agency.

“He’s such a phenomenal talent and his work extends past epic TV spots and delves into experiential, activation and digital. Damon knows how to produce world-class work that can’t be ignored. He’s going to be a very exciting leader of our creative product.

“We’ve also been on the search for the best possible ECD and have realised he’s already here in Shane, so we’re excited to confirm him as our permanent ECD. Damon and Shane are both modern thinkers and together they will be a true creative force,” Mowday adds.

Stapleton is set to commence at DDB on July 1, 2014 and will work closely with Bradnick across the entire DDB client portfolio.