DDA Hires Luxury Hospitality Exec Keith Iddins as Longtime Event Management Boss Caroline Warburton Sets Retirement (EXCLUSIVE)

Marketing and communications agency DDA has hired Keith Iddins, a luxury hospitality and entertainment veteran with more than 30 years experience, to the newly created role of travel relationship director for its DDA Travel and Logistics (Live) arm.

Iddins, who has worked with major hotel groups including Dorchester Collection, Maybourne and Oetker, will report to Daniel Starmer, vice president of Live, to develop DDA’s hospitality and travel services. He will also take over responsibility for hotel logistics from longtime DDA exec Caroline Warburton, until recently CEO of DDA Event Management, as she prepares to retire at the end of 2027.

“Caroline’s reputation across the industry is unmatched, reflecting decades of exceptional leadership and the trust and affection she has earned from colleagues and clients alike,” said DDA Partners Lawrence Atkinson, Dana Archer and Neil Bhatt. “As part of our strategic planning for her retirement, we are delighted to welcome Keith, a long-time partner of DDA’s through his previous roles at some of the world’s most prestigious hotels, into the fold to help build on Caroline’s remarkable legacy.”

Recruited by Dennis Davidson in 1997 as a coordinator in what was then DDA’s Market Services division, Warburton has been central to the company’s international festival and market operations for three decades. From Cannes to Toronto, she has overseen events, logistics and hospitality for leading companies across the global entertainment industry.

The appointment of Iddins follows DDA’s recent acquisition of DDA Event Management and its integration into DDA’s Live division.

“DDA Event Management and DDA have worked as one for so long that this is more a natural evolution than a change,” said Warburton. “As I prepare to retire, I know our exceptional team and amazing clients will be in the very best hands, with Daniel leading our area of the business into its next chapter. I’m excited to watch – from afar – as the company continues to thrive for decades to come.”

DDA’s Live vice president Starmer said the company had been “searching for someone to consolidate and develop DDA’s work in the travel sector” and that Iddins’ “experience and reputation” aligned with its future goals.

“We feel uniquely placed with our ability to look after the wide range of needs of our clients as they activate and operate around the world. I am excited to continue to build on Caroline’s legacy as we head toward the 2027 season of festivals and beyond,” he added.

“I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with DDA and their clients on many occasions throughout my career, with so many starting their careers at DDA,” said Iddins. “To now have the opportunity to join the team myself feels particularly special, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I’ve always loved being in the trenches with a project and being part of what happens behind the scenes to bring an event together.”

Over the past couple of years, DDA — which has a staff or 175 across offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Dubai — has established U.S. Film & Series Publicity and Creative Services divisions in New York and launched its first Middle East office through a joint venture with Dubai-based brand publicity specialist Sophie Toh. In London it established a live content division to work alongside its live event production, social media content production, and design and creative team.