After 11 years at the agency, Darko Silajdžić is leaving his post as executive group chairman of DDB Prague. His next steps lead to fashion and culture as Silajdžić heads a shop which had been in the DDB Europe network but is now going independent. The new venture has been dubbed Imminent, formerly DDB Fresh. Launched in September 2022, DDB Fresh focused on the area of innovative sustainable fashion for clients from non-fashion industries. DDB Fresh became indie shop Imminent on February 1.
“Sometimes you have to take a step that you wouldn’t have expected a few months ago, but in many ways is the best possible,” explained Silajdžić, adding, “It just proves that the DDB Unexpected Works philosophy really works.”
Imminent will expand its activities in addition to fashion to “objects of culture” in the broader sense of the word. It will continue to work closely with DDB, both on ongoing projects and on acquiring new orders. Together with Silajdžić, the existing team headed by Veronika Babkovova, co-founder of the project, is moving to Imminent.
Under Silajdžić’s leadership, DDB Prague experienced a successful run. The agency almost tripled in number of employees and expanded its operations to include DDB FTW (a global gaming agency), DDB Fresh and production company Fame Factory.
Silajdžić’s departure does not disrupt the continuity of leadership at DDB Prague. Silajdžić served as CEO before handing over the management of the Prague branch to Jan Faflik two years ago. DDB FTW continues to be led by CEO Gaving Cheng. “From the point of view of the functioning of the agency, nothing has changed,” said Faflík, “We will of course miss Darko with his experience and his enthusiasm, but he has built strong foundations on which it is a pleasure to build. I look forward to our new partnership.”
