Luis Miguel Messianu named Global Chief Creative Officer for DDB Worldwide McDonald’s Account

DDB Worldwide has named the alma agency’s Luis Miguel Messianu as Global Chief Creative Officer on McDonald’s. Working in partnership with Dave Kissel, DDB McDonald’s Global Business Lead, as well as local agency teams, Messianu will oversee the creative output of the McDonald’s brand across 46 markets, where the DDB network is responsible for the account.

As DDB McDonald’s Global Chief Creative Officer, Messianu will lead global creative initiatives that generate maximum impact. Responsibilities will include establishing and upholding the expectations of the network’s high creative standard and nurturing and exciting people across the network to bring forward ideas that build the brand and business.

“With the task of leading and actively improving our creative work, I have no doubt Luis Miguel will strengthen DDB’s creative reputation as well as McDonald’s as a creative partner,” says Marty O’Halloran, Global CEO at DDB. “His role will further enhance the bond he and the agency have with the McDonald’s US team, while continuing to chart the path ahead for alma, one of our most successful agencies across the network.”

“Luis Miguel’s longstanding history with both McDonald’s and DDB is remarkable in the industry. He is uniquely suited to nurture and further strengthen their relationship,” says Juan Carlos Ortiz, President and CEO of DDB Latina. “Since founding alma, Luis Miguel’s leadership has led the agency to become the most creatively effective segment-led shop in the country, and the McDonald’s partnership has been a big part of that. I’m looking forward to watching him maximize all of his knowledge and experience in this new global role.”

Messianu’s relationship with McDonald’s spans more than 35 years, having previously served as Creative Director at the agency that first introduced the brand in Mexico in 1985. McDonald’s was alma’s first client when Messianu founded the Miami-based agency in 1994. The agency continues to deliver creatively effective work for the brand today such as “Dorado,” a campaign featuring global music sensation J Balvin, which garnered a Gold Effie in 2021.

“We’re excited for Luis Miguel to take on this role that will help to continue strengthening the global brand,” says Morgan Flatley, Global CMO at McDonald’s. “Our tenure with alma is unheard of across the industry, particularly in the fast-moving QSR category. It’s a testament to an incredible partnership that has resulted in three decades worth of outstanding campaigns that drive the McDonald’s business and shape culture. Luis Miguel has played no small part in instilling and fanning this tenacity and passion for our business.”

Messianu will split his time between his role as Founder and Chairman of alma and the new global position within DDB for McDonald’s. DDB Worldwide’s Ari Weiss will continue in his role as Global CCO.