DDB Melbourne & Smith St chief creative officer Psembi Kinstan has resigned, AdNews can reveal.
Insiders said he will be moving to 72andSunny Amsterdam.
This comes after Omnicom's takeover of IPG retired creative agency DDB and cut 4,000 jobs globally.
DDB Australia has folded into Clemenger BBDO Australia, with Sheryl Marjoram (Sydney) and Mike Napolitano (Melbourne) co-CEOs.
Lee Leggett, the outgoing CEO of Clemenger BBDO, is now chief customer officer, Omnicom Oceania.
"Since joining forces in 2021, Psembi and I have spent a lot of time together— with CSO, Matt Pearce— building a creative business focused on world-class work and the amazing people you need to make it happen," said Clemenger BBDO co-CEO Mike Napolitano.
"He is a true talent, a wonderful leader full of ambition and an even better human.
"So, when Psembi told me he wanted to head overseas with his beautiful wife Em and two cracking boys to continue their family adventure for a few years, I couldn't have been happier for them.
"I am so proud of the work we’ve done together to build our team and the deep friendship we have created. Psembi is always welcome back anywhere I work."
Kinstan was promoted to chief creative officer in November 2024, having joined DDB Melbourne in 2021, helping grow the agency's headcount to more than 100, following client wins including Coles, Asahi CUB, Acciona, Movember, Mr Chen’s, Dabble, Funlabs, Agrifutures, Made by Dyslexia and Our Watch.
He had also worked as a executive creative director for McCann Worldgroup and creative director for BBH London and Y&R London.
Clemenger BBDO chief creative officer Stephen de Wolfe said that Kinstan is ambitious, talented, brilliant leader, and even better human.
"That’s the Psembi I’ve been fortunate enough to have orbited now twice in my career. It’s also why it came as no surprise when he said he has unfinished adventures outside of Australia that he and his beautiful family need to go on," de Wolfe said.
"I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was over the moon about Psembi being part of Clemenger BBDO’s next, but I’d be lying now if I said I wasn’t even more excited for his next.
"If you know him, you’ll know he’ll do brilliant things.
"Psembi, thank you for your partnership, creative leadership, and friendship."
Kinstan has been contacted for comment.
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