This year, Epica Awards is introducing a Creative Leaders Tribute. Mark Tutssel, executive chairman of Leo Burnett Worldwide, will be its first recipient.

He will be handed the trophy during the Epica Awards ceremony at the KIT Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam on November 15. As its name suggests, the award was launched to pay tribute to those who have shown a career-long commitment to supporting and enhancing creativity. Earlier this year, when Tutssel was named executive chairman of Leo Burnett, he became effectively the first creative leader of the agency since Leo Burnett himself.

As global chief creative officer of Leo Burnett, he is constantly pushed for the very highest creative standards, upholding Leo Burnett’s hugely impressive body of work for some of the world’s most iconic brands, including McDonald’s, P&G, Coca-Cola and Samsung. That work has been applauded with a great many awards, and the network sits within the select group at the very peak of the industry’s creative rankings.

Tutssel commented, “I am humbled and honoured to receive this recognition. I’ve had the privilege of working with many talented people and brave brands throughout my career. I truly believe creativity is the driving force behind our business, and I always will be a champion of it. I’d also like to thank Epica and the journalists who’ve helped highlight and celebrate game-changing ideas that ultimately build brand success.”

Epica’s editorial director Mark Tungate, who hosts the awards ceremony, added,, “For us, there was never any doubt that Mark should be the first recipient of the Creative Leaders Tribute. From both his career and our own interactions with him, it’s clear that he is a tireless initiator and supporter of ground-breaking creative work.”

Epica is currently accepting late entries into its awards. Contact Epica here.