London / New York / Los Angeles – June 6th, 2024 – Global communications agency DDA has launched a New York office, in addition to its current dual HQs in London and Los Angeles, as it continues to ramp up the creative and social arms of the business. Dan Salerno has been hired to lead the New York team in the newly created post of Senior Director of Strategy & Operations, and Laura Hernando as Head of Social in London – overseeing the Entertainment and Brands (Consumer) Social teams.

Salerno joins from his previous role at creative agency Ralph as NY production lead. His appointment underscores the agency's commitment to expanding and elevating DDA’s creative offerings and growing its footprint in key markets. With his wealth of experience and strategic vision in marketing media, entertainment and consumer brands, Salerno is poised to lead the agency's New York team in delivering innovative solutions to clients worldwide. He is joined by consultant Rachel Effendy, through her newly launched entity StrawberryWasabi, an industry heavyweight who will contribute to DDA’s growth on the East Coast as well as internationally.

Head of Social Laura Hernando joins from Jellyfish where she was VP of Creative Social since the entity bought her previous agency - Social Life. With over 15 years’ experience leading global teams at some of the biggest social and creative agencies (We Are Social, M&C Saatchi, AKQA), Hernando will be building on the established successes of DDA’s Digital business out of the UK.

DDA’s now transatlantic Creative and Social divisions provide world-leading expertise in creative strategy, full-scale shoots, end-to-end content production, influencer marketing, fan-first social campaigns and online community building. Working across two continents, the rapidly expanding team has relationships with an array of leading studios, influencers, FMCG, luxury, and beauty brands.

On behalf of the DDA Board, Neil Bhatt commented “Our ambition is to offer market-leading expertise and delivery across the world by incorporating all elements of creative marketing and strategic communications to deliver best-in-class, holistic campaigns. Bringing in talent at the pinnacle of their disciplines such as Laura, Dan and Rachel is our signal of intent and we could not be prouder to be working with them to continue DDA’s exciting growth.”

Contact:
corporate@ddapr.com

ABOUT DDA
DDA is a leading global creative marketing and strategic communications agency working in the entertainment and brands spaces. With offices in Los Angeles, New York and London we offer a bespoke service and truly global reach for festivals, networks, platforms, producers, distributors, financiers, government organisations, and brands.

DDA provides creative and insightful strategies, tailored campaign solutions, and a ‘round-the-clock’ service across all the agency’s lines of business, which includes US and UK Film and Series Campaigns, Strategic Consumer and Corporate Communications, Influencer management, Social Media, Personal Publicity Representation, Design, Creative Studio, International and Festival publicity, Live Event Production and Awards.

www.ddaglobal.com

ABOUT STRAWBERRYWASABI
StrawberryWasabi is a dynamic consultancy spearheaded by a seasoned team who are experts in the business of creative. Led by Rachel & Nicole Effendy, they collectively have over 20 years of creative and strategic experience in entertainment, brand, technology and fashion. They specialize in providing unparalleled support to brands and agencies seeking to scale and enhance their creative teams, drive business growth, and upskill their workforce.