DDB Named Global Brand and Creative Agency of Record for iShares

May 16, 2019 – iShares by BlackRock, a global leader in exchange traded funds (ETFs), has appointed DDB, part of Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC), as Global Brand and Creative Agency of Record effective immediately. DDB San Francisco will partner with adam&eveDDB in London and DDB Mexico to service iShares. The global agency network is tasked with helping iShares develop and launch a new brand platform globally to demonstrate the brand’s commitment to championing investor progress.

The decision of iShares to appoint DDB as Global Creative Agency comes along with the launch of the brand’s new visual identity. With more than twenty years of experience in ETF innovation and the expertise of BlackRock, iShares has always been dedicated to helping investors progress towards their goals. The refresh is focused on positioning iShares for the future in a way that is relevant to clients given their evolving needs.

“We are thrilled to welcome DDB to our family of agencies and to be partnering with them as we continue to build the iShares brand. Their strong strategic thinking and creative expertise make them the perfect partner to drive our customer-first, content-driven storytelling,” said Alex Craddock, Managing Director, Global CMO of iShares.

“The drive iShares has to reimagine the investment category coupled with our experience in using creativity to drive growth is going to result in an incredible combination. We can’t wait to see what we build together,” said John McCarthy, President of DDB San Francisco. “Winning the iShares business further highlights DDB’s growing roster of purpose-led brands and expands upon our experience with developing creative solutions for clients that offer innovative products to enhance consumers’ lives.”

The new iShares brand positioning and experience will be supported by a global campaign created by DDB that is set to roll out later this year.

About BlackRock
BlackRock helps investors build better financial futures. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of March 31, 2019, the firm managed approximately $6.52 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com | Twitter: @blackrock | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock.

About iShares
iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global lineup of 800+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and $1.9 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2019, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm.1

1 Based on $6.52 trillion in AUM as of 3/31/19

iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

ABOUT DDB WORLDWIDE
DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world's largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry's leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency’s clients include Volkswagen, McDonald's, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. Army, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

ABOUT OMNICOM
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE – OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.