Host today announced that Darren Spiller is set to join the agency as its first chief creative officer.

Most recently Spiller spent four years as CCO at DDB Melbourne, during which the agency enjoyed a creative resurgence, developing high-profile work for Westpac, Devondale and RSL amongst others.

This followed three years as chief creative officer at Fallon Minneapolis where Darren again played a big part in the rejuvenation of the agency’s creative credentials, market profile and new business success.

During a career of more than 20 years, Darren has produced award winning campaigns for clients including Nike, Nestle, Tourism Victoria, NBC, H&R Block and Lion to name but a few. He was also Regional Creative Director at Publicis Mojo and has played a key role on the Global Creative Boards at Publicis and DDB.

Host Founder and Group CEO, Anthony Freedman said, “I have known Darren for a long time and quietly always hoped we might work together one day. Firstly and most importantly, he is great guy who sees the world as we do, but he’s also one of Australia’s most experienced creative leaders with an impeccable track record and the best qualified person we could have brought into Host, to help us to develop the most exciting creative content in Australia.”

Darren Spiller said, “I was all set for another overseas adventure and had a number of conversations underway in Europe and the US. However after my chat with Anthony and Laura, it became clear that what I thought I would have to go half way around the world for was actually on offer in Sydney. Host is a home-grown success story that’s stayed the distance. They’re riding high at the moment and it seems the perfect time to pitch in and build on recent successes.”

Last year was a year of strong performance for Host, with the iTunes chart topping, Christmas campaign of 2016 – Air New Zealand’s “Summer Wonderland” – a long list of new business wins including XXXX Gold, James Boag, Tooheys Extra Dry, James Squire, Red Rooster, Oporto, Star Entertainment Group, Subaru and Visit California, and a number of notable hires including Creative Director, Chris Little, Integrated Production Director, Michael Griffiths, and Group Account Directors Brooke Chilcott and Gemma Cadwallader.

Host and sister agency, One Green Bean formed a partnership with Havas in 2011 and in conjunction with Universal Music Australia, also launched entertainment marketing agency Bring, in 2016.