Lawrence Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer, The DDA Group
Lawrence Atkinson is Chief Executive Officer of The DDA Group, leaders in global film, television and entertainment communications.
Atkinson joined DDA Public Relations in February 2006 as Executive Vice President and subsequently acquired a majority equity stake in the company and assumed responsibility for the agency’s future. He manages the agency alongside Chief Operating Officer John Stannard, President and partner Dana Archer and President, Film & Television, Neil Bhatt.
Founded in London in 1970, with offices in London and Los Angeles, as well as affiliates and associates in most other parts of the world, DDA is the leading global film and entertainment communications agency, offering a bespoke service and a truly worldwide reach for the Creative Industries. DDA provides creative and insightful strategies and, turnkey campaign solutions for film, television and brands.
DDA’s broad portfolio of services includes public relations, strategic consultancy, event production and management, digital & social, insight & analytics, brand partnerships and integration, personal representation, creative design, and awards campaigns.
Previous Employment history
Prior to DDA, Atkinson was Director of Film (UK) for UK Entertainment PR Agency Premier Communications. At Premier, he was responsible for developing and handling business for the agency across all areas of the Film industry, including UK Distribution Campaigns for both major studios and the independent sector, Premieres, Unit and Production Publicity, International Film Festivals and Home Entertainment.
Before Premier PR, Atkinson served as Publicity Manager for the UK Publicity Division of leading international film distributor Buena Vista International (UK) Ltd, operating in both London and at the Walt Disney Studios in Los Angeles. During his six years at Disney, Atkinson was responsible for UK distribution campaigns across a variety of titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Miramax, Touchstone Pictures and local productions and acquisitions.
Atkinson started his career in film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 1995 where he worked in the press office during Artistic Director Mark Cousins’ tenure.
Atkinson is a member of BAFTA, AMPAS, the PRCA, and is on the Board of Trustees of MediCinema, a charity dedicated to improving the wellbeing of patients, their families and carers across the UK through the magic of the shared cinema experience.