• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, November 11, 2015

DDB Worldwide has appointed veteran marketing executive Wendy Clark to president and CEO of North America, effective January 2016. 

Mark O’Brien, who previously held the title, will take on a new role as executive vice president at DDB’s parent company, Omnicom Group. 

Clark, who is highly regarded, joins DDB from Coca-Cola North America where she served as president, sparkling brands and strategic marketing. Previously, she held the role of SVP, Global Sparkling Brand Center, where she was responsible for the global leadership of all Coca-Cola’s sparkling brands. 

Prior to joining Coca-Cola in 2008, Clark was SVP advertising for AT&T, where she was at the helm of the company’s most ambitious rebranding and advertising in its history, with the subsequent mergers of SBC and Cingular.  

Clark has won numerous business accolades. In 2009 and 2010, Fortune featured her in its “40 Under 40” issue, ranking as the highest woman in 2010 (15th ranked overall). She was also named one of four “Women to Watch” by Fortune.    

“I’ve known Wendy since she was a client at AT&T, and she is a game-changer.  She understands the demands facing corporate marketing and the role agencies play in engaging and winning customers,” said Chuck Brymer, Chief Executive Officer of DDB Worldwide. “She is passionate about creativity and a magnet for talent.”

Added Clark: "It’s been a privilege to add my fingerprints to the millions who have shaped the 129-year legacy of brand Coca-Cola. In that same sense of legacy, I am now delighted to join the talented team at DDB.”