Omnicom is reportedly set to retire the iconic DDB Worldwide brand following U.S. regulatory approval of its merger with Interpublic Group (IPG). With the FTC’s clearance, Omnicom plans to consolidate its creative network under three global agencies — BBDO Worldwide, McCann, and TBWA\Worldwide.
This marks the end of an era for DDB, founded in 1949 by Bill Bernbach, James Doyle, and Maxwell Dane, and celebrated for revolutionizing advertising through campaigns like Volkswagen’s “Think Small” and McDonald’s brand storytelling.
While DDB has long partnered with top brands such as HDFC Bank, Godrej, and Adani Group in India, its global influence has waned in recent years amid structural changes and mergers within Omnicom.
The brand’s retirement reflects both nostalgia and renewal — a symbolic close to a historic chapter in advertising, even as Bernbach’s creative legacy continues to shape the industry’s future.