Ann Ysten takes over from founder Patrick Gardner at Stockholm’s Perfect Fools

Stockholm and Amsterdam agency Perfect Fools has appointed Ann Ysten (left) as its new CEO. She takes over from Patrick Gardner, who is leaving the agency he co-founded in 2002 to go long-distance sailing with his family.

Ysten, a former deputy CEO of DDB Stockholm, moves from head of marketing and communications at Friends, a non-profit anti-bullying organisation based in Stockholm. Prior to DDB she was marketing director at The Absolut Company for more than three years where she was responsible for EMEA markets. She also spent time at Lowe Brindfors in Stockholm, where she worked on brands including SAS and COOP.

Perfect Fools chairman Ami Hasan says: “Patrick has captained Perfect Fools successfully through calm and stormy seas for 13 years to create a world-class, highly-respected brand. Ann joins an organisation in fantastic shape and has the perfect mix of client and agency experience to help take our business to the next level.”

Perfect Fools has worked for Adidas, Converse, Electrolux, H&M, Heineken, McDonald’s, Nikon, Samsung, Skittles, Swarovski and Volvo.