Mark Tutssel has been global chief creative officer of Leo Burnett since May 2006. In that time, Leo Burnett has developed world-class campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands. In 2016, he became chair of Publicis Communications’ global creative board. He has now become executive chairman of Leo Burnett Worldwide.
Publicis Groupe chief executive officer, Arthur Sadoun commented, “Mark’s appointment is a profound statement of the value we place in the power of creativity. Mark will be the first creative at the helm of the agency since Leo the man. Mark is one of the most proven, admired and awarded creative leaders in our industry, and I have great respect for his passion and authority in the world of brand-building creativity.”
Tutssel joined Leo Burnett USA in 2002 as vice chairman & deputy chief creative officer. He became regional chief creative officer of Leo Burnett North America in June 2004.
Tutssel’s leadership has helped Leo Burnett achieve honours within and outside the industry. In 2015, Leo Burnett’s Like A Girl for P&G’s Always became a catalyst for the most important social change of this century so far. It won an Emmy and D&AD Pencils in eight separate categories, including a Black Pencil in Creativity for Good.
In 2016, Leo Burnett became the third most awarded network in the world based on the 2016 Gunn Report, and the network topped the Gunn Report’s All Gunns Blazing category – its seventh time in eight years.
Under Tutssel’s leadership, Leo Burnett has also won nine Grand Prix at Cannes and been ranked in the top five most-awarded agency networks in the world consistently. His work has helped Samsung, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola earn Cannes Lions Creative Marketer of the Year awards.
Tutssel’s new focus will be on creative excellence and growth across the network using the special culture of Leo Burnett.
“I am truly delighted to assume the mantle at Leo Burnett, a global company that has the talent, the passion and the ambition to deliver the game-changing ideas our clients deserve,” he commented.
“It is a tremendous honour and responsibility to live up to the ideals of Leo Burnett himself and deliver them in a new age of technology and opportunity.”
Tutsell replaces current president of Leo Burnett Worldwide, Rich Stoddart. “I want to acknowledge and deeply thank Rich Stoddart for his energy and commitment to Leo Burnett’s clients, culture and people. After 23 years with the agency, Rich has decided to move on to a new professional challenge,” Publicis Groupe chief executive officer, Arthur Sadoun stated.
A few of Leo’s recent achievements throughout the world:
Leo Burnett: Samsung presents a suspense-loaded drama about death
Leo Burnett & friends give the Yes vote the perfectly timed “heart” ad
Leo Burnett: Samsung’s The Frame TV crashes an art exhibition
