David Patton appointed as D&AD CEO

D&AD has appointed David Patton as its new Chief Executive Officer, with his tenure scheduled to commence later this month. Bringing a wealth of senior leadership experience across marketing, advertising, and production, Patton has established a distinguished record that aligns closely with D&AD's mission to celebrate, inspire, and empower creative excellence in all its forms. He assumes the role as the organisation strengthens its presence across design, advertising, and commercial creativity amid a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

Throughout his career, Patton has held several senior leadership positions, including European Vice President of Marketing at Sony PlayStation and Senior Vice President of Marketing for Sony Europe (Sony Electronics), where he became known as a champion of creative excellence.

He was instrumental in supporting some of the most acclaimed and influential commercial campaigns in recent years, including PlayStation's Double Life and the multi-D&AD Pencil-winning Sony Bravia Balls campaign. Patton has also led top-tier creative agencies, serving as CEO of Grey London and EMEA President at Grey, before taking on roles as Global President of Young & Rubicam, Global President of The Mill and MPC Advertising, and most recently CEO of visual effects and animation studio Jellyfish Pictures.

Tim Lindsay, D&AD Chairman, said: "David's exceptional career has perfectly prepared him to lead D&AD. He's championed creative excellence and fostered environments for it to flourish wherever he's worked. At a time of seismic industry changes, his record of setting high creative standards, nurturing talent, supporting learning, and embracing challenges will help propel D&AD into a bright future."

Lisa Smith, D&AD President and Uncommon Global Chief Design Officer, added: "What matters most is the quality of the work we choose to stand behind. That principle guided this appointment, and in David, we have a leader with the judgment and ambition to uphold those standards. Equally important, he shares our commitment to developing the next generation of talent, supporting emerging creatives through both traditional and non-traditional pathways, and creating an environment where people at every career stage can learn, grow, and produce their best work."

David Patton said: "Having worked across agencies and in-house teams, I've seen firsthand that creative excellence is shaped by the entire industry, from emerging talent to global creative organisations. As the sector evolves, D&AD will continue to play a critical role in supporting talent and setting standards that advance creative excellence. Programs such as Shift, New Blood, and D&AD's learning initiatives are essential for opening up the industry and nurturing the next generation of creative talent. I’m excited to build on D&AD's legacy of championing creative excellence and continue pushing the boundaries of what our industry can achieve."