• by Larissa Faw , March 4, 2015

For some, sailing around the world beats daily staff meetings. Sweden-based creative agency Perfect Fools has appointed Ann Ysten as its new CEO. She takes over from Patrick Gardner, who is leaving the agency he co-founded in 2002 to embark on a lifelong dream of long-distance sailing with his family.

The agency, based in Stockholm, has a client roster that includes adidas, Converse, Electrolux, H&M, Heineken, McDonald’s, Nikon, Samsung, Skittles, Swarovski and Volvo.

Ysten, who starts March 9, is the former DDB Stockholm Deputy CEO. Most recently, she was head of marketing and communications at Friends, a non-profit anti-bullying organization based in Stockholm. 

The agency approached her for the job based on her work at DDB. She will oversee 32 employees and says her key priorities will be to focus on clients and profitability since "creativity and reputation are already healthy."

“Patrick has captained Perfect Fools successfully through calm and stormy seas for 13 years to create a world-class, highly respected brand," says agency chairman Ami Hasan. "Ann joins an organization in fantastic shape, and has the perfect mix of client and agency experience to help take our business to the next level.”