An email to my friends at DDB and Tribal DDB
The world is what you think of it. So think of it differently and your life will change.
Today I say goodbye and leave Tribal DDB after a wonderful eight years in the DDB Worldwide network. This decision to leave the tribe was the toughest of my life but ultimately I felt it was time for a new challenge.I will continue my Omnicom association in a newly created position as Executive Director of Digital Innovation, Clemenger Communications Group (BBDO Network aligned group).
In a small and connected world, I look forward to seeing you all either virtually or in person as the years roll forward. My contact details are listed below.I have tried to get around and individually say goodbye to everyone in Tribal and DDB during my hand-over to Amanda. After eight years I feel you become entitled to write a paragraph for each year of service and to say thank you to those people who have made the time with DDB such a memorable and enjoyable one. So here goes……..
Firstly and most importantly, I want to thank Matt for being such an inspirational leader, boss, colleague and mate. Matt has so many wonderful creative talents as we all know, but he truly is the smartest and most passionate communications individually I have ever met and worked with. He has a wonderful rhythm in his ability to listen, read, and then articulate to a client a brand vision and a path to possibilities. Under Matt’s leadership, the Tribal culture flourishes, and with that comes the exceptional performance the network has enjoyed. I am truly proud to have worked with Matt and been one of the original Tribal elders to have taken Keith Reinhard’s brief ‘to become the DDB of the digital age’. I thank Matt for his support, his steady hand and for giving me the most amazing opportunity to establish and lead Tribal in Australia, China and Asia Pacific.
It has been a wonderful experience to be tribal during the digital revolution, or as Bono sings ‘when new media was the big idea’. I wish Amanda and Dirk all the best in their regional Tribal roles. I look forward to seeing Tribal and DDB grow to even greater heights.
I would also like to say thanks to the Tribal Worldwide Management team of Stephan, Paul and Liz. You all know how much I will miss this place. A thank you also goes to the amazing Tribal Asia Pacific Tribal managers, firstly the tribal girl power; Diana, Jenny, Lisa and Meera, the boys Turkey, Michie, William, Kevin, Mike, Mr Jung, Leroy and Greg. Go Tribal!
A thank you goes to Chuck, John, Keith, Mark and Bob for the opportunities and support you have given me over the years. It is truly wonderful be part of an organization that has created and believes in the four freedoms. A thank you must also go to James and Douglas for the wonderful support and mentoring I have received over the years, People, Product, Performance.
Lastly, I thank all the Asia Pacific DDB Country leaders for always making me feel most welcome in each of your markets. I wore my Tribal DDB colours with pride and passion and as Bill Bernbach said ‘Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make.’
My family, Janelle, Braedon, Edina and Callum will move from Hong Kong to Auckland in early 2008 to enjoy beautiful New Zealand. While, we look forward to having a house with a backyard under some blue sky again, we certainly have enjoyed Asia, and thus look forward to returning to China for another working stint further down the road. Now however I’m excited to experience the enticing New Zealand creative and vibrant zing this market has to offer, or is this the description for the world’s best Sauvignon blanc. It’s definitely both reasons, so do look me up when you are in town so I can take you out for dinner and open a bottle or two and catch up.
That is it, take care and all the best for the future. Who is to say where the wind will take you.
Best
Adam
A journal by Adam Good 