Denny Handlin Takes the Helm as Executive Creative Director at VaynerMedia Australia!

Denny Handlin Joins VaynerMedia Australia

VaynerMedia Australia has appointed Denny Handlin as its new Executive Creative Director, furthering the agency’s mission to lead in integrated social-first marketing while it rapidly expands across Australia and the region.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Handlin has a track record of leading award-winning campaigns, creating high-performing teams, and developing consumer-first strategies that drive significant business impact. Most recently, he served as the Head of Global Business Marketing at TikTok ANZ, where he shaped the platform’s creative direction and led innovative brand collaborations.

Handlin began his career as a copywriter and content designer at Ogilvy Sydney before moving to Clemenger BBDO Sydney in 2012 as a Creative Group Head. There, he worked on successful campaigns like Whiskas ‘Catstacam’ and Tourism Australia’s ‘There’s Nothing Like Australia’. Following his tenure at Clemenger, he joined BWM Dentsu (now Dentsu Creative) as Creative Director, contributing to the agency's growth.

VaynerMedia Australia has experienced rapid growth, evolving from a start-up into a powerhouse in just four years. The agency has partnered with major brands such as PepsiCo, Carlton United Breweries, and SharkNinja across Australia and New Zealand.

Karen Coleman, Country Manager for Australia, states, “Denny brings a rare blend of big-agency creative expertise and deep platform experience. We are entering our next growth phase, moving towards a truly integrated, social-first approach that delivers business results. Denny is not just an exceptional creative leader; he is also a builder of high-performance teams and culture, which is exactly what we need.”

Handlin expressed his excitement for this new chapter, stating, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join VaynerMedia, collaborating with world-class clients to center social in everything we do. The team is already recognized for its innovative, creative thinking, and I look forward to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this space.” He also expressed gratitude for his time at TikTok, acknowledging the talented team he worked with.

Handlin will report to Karen Coleman and Woei Hern Chan, VaynerMedia’s Head of Creative for the Asia Pacific region.