Björn Rietz becomes the new CEO of the Advertising Association of Sweden.

Björn Rietz joins the Advertising Association of Sweden from DDB Stockholm. Previously Bjorn Rietz has held a position as Executive Creative Director of DDB Melbourne and Vice Chairman for DDB Australia. Björn Rietz, a copywriter by trade, is one of three founders of the renown Swedish advertising agency Paradiset where he was part of the management team for 11 years.

Björn Rietz joins the Advertising Association of Sweden from DDB Stockholm. Previously Bjorn Rietz has held a position as Executive Creative Director of DDB Melbourne and Vice Chairman for DDB Australia. Björn Rietz, a copywriter by trade, is one of three founders of the renown Swedish advertising agency Paradiset where he was part of the management team for 11 years. Paradiset became part of the DDB network in 1993. Through the years Björn Rietz has worked with wellknown brands such as Heinz, Diesel, Nicorette, Thomson, Tele2, and H&M. He has won numerous international awards for his work such as Grand Prix in Cannes Lions, Grand Prix in Eurobest and Grand Prix in Epica.

The board are very pleased that Björn Rietz with his experience and track record in this industry has taken on the task to lead and develop the Advertising Association of Sweden.

The Advertising Association of Sweden represents a majority of Sweden's communication agencies within advertising, design, public relations, digital, media and event marketing. Swedish clients every year invest over € 7 billion in communication in these fields.

' I am very proud and pleased that Björn Rietz, with all his experience from the core of our industry has taken the role as CEO for AA of S. Björn Rietz has worked in the communication industry for more than 25 years and has a wide experience not only as a creative, but also as an entrepreneur behind one of the most successful agencies of our time. In addition, he brings an international perspective from one of the major global networks in our industry and has held an executive position overseas, Elisabeth Ström, chairman of the Advertising Association of Sweden, says'.

' We are facing a rare opportunity in our industry. When more power has been shifted to consumers, our clients ability to keep an ongoing dialogue with them is paramount.

Now more than ever, clients will need our talent and skills. To be able to lead such an organisation as AA of S during these transformative times is not only an honour for a creative, the thrill of it is unparallelled' , Björn Rietz says.

Björn Rietz will take up his position 20 March. Starting 1 March he will spend time with agencies associated with the AA of S who represent fields where he has limited experience.

Facts about Björn Rietz
Age: 52
Interests: anything but golf.
Awards: Grand Prix in Cannes Lions, Eurobest and Epica. Gold in Clio (USA), multiple winner of Gold in the Golden Egg (Swedish National Award Show).