- Andrew McMains

DDB has added Stuart Hazlewood in the new role of chief strategy officer for the New York office.
 
Hazlewood, 45, (pictured), previously was among a handful of group planning directors at Omnicom Group's BBDO in New York. In his 14 months there, he focused on developing behavioral planning insights for Chrysler.
 
At Omnicom's DDB, Hazlewood will split his time between existing clients and new business development. As such, he'll work closely with existing director of planning Maria Tender and New York president Peter Hempel, to whom he reports.
 
The office, whose clients include Unilever, Merck, Georgia-Pacific, Cotton Inc. and the New York Lottery, employs about 15 planners. Tender will continue to manage the department day-to-day, while Hazlewood will function as Hempel's "idea partner."
 
"The role of ideas is just getting more and more important," Hempel said. "We need more firepower."
 
In a statement, Hazlewood described DDB as a "great place for a planner to help create famous and effective campaigns," citing the shop's consistent success in award shows such as Cannes and the Effies.
 
Before BBDO, Hazlewood spent three years at WPP Group's Ogilvy & Mather in New York. He also has worked at Havas' Euro RSCG. Earlier in his career, Hazlewood was a planner at DDB N.Y., so the hire represents a homecoming of sorts. He starts his new job today.