Emma Montgomery to depart Leo Burnett in surprise move
Leo Burnett chief executive officer Emma Montgomery is set to leave the agency and Australia, to head back to the United States just two years after returning home.
The seasoned creative has been named DDB Chicago’s new CEO, in a strategic leadership coup by the global agency network that few might have seen coming.
Emma Montgomery is heading back to the just, a little more than two years after returning home.
Once in the chair in the Windy City, Montgomery will work closely with chief creative officer Rodrigo Jatene and report to Alex Lubar, global president and chief operating officer.
“I am incredibly delighted to be joining Alex, Rodrigo and the DDB Chicago team at such a pivotal time for creativity and bold thinking,” Mongtomery said.
“It’s both an honour and thrill to be contributing to the next chapter of this iconic agency’s history.”
Mumbrella understands Montgomery spent the past week meeting with clients across the country to notify them of her unexpected departure.
She will be on a plane to the US in a few months’ time.
On Montgomery’s exit from Leo Burnett, Michael Rebelo, CEO of Publicis Groupe ANZ, said: “We have been fortunate to have Emma lead Leo Burnett in Australia, working closely with the leadership team to ensure the agency’s continued growth and success.
“Over the past couple of years, Leos has welcomed a number of new clients while also being recognised with award-winning campaigns.”
It’s understood a replacement CEO will be announced shortly. Kate Silver, Melbourne GM, and James Walker-Smith, Sydney GM, will co-lead the agency in the interim.
This marks a return to Chicago for Montgomery, who was there as Leo Burnett’s president and chief strategy officer, prior to being its senior vice president and strategy director between 2017 and 2020.
Montgomery did a year at TBWA\Worldwide in Los Angeles during the first stage of Covid-19 in early 2020 as its global co-chief strategy officer before heading home to Sydney and the top job at Leo Burnett in March 2021.
Montgomery will work closely with DDB Chicago’s Rodrio Jatene.
With more than 20 years’ experience, she has partnered with major brands including Bank of America, Molson Coors, Kraft, Aldi, and Bank of America, and her work has been recognised at Cannes and the Clio Awards.
DDB Worldwide’s Lubar said: “We are super fortunate to add another dynamic leader to our DDB Chicago team. Emma brings a unique depth of experience, authenticity, strategic acumen, and a strong passion for creativity, clients, and culture that is beyond inspiring.
“She’s a proven leader who creates impact, strengthens cultures, and fuels client growth. It will be great to have her back in the Chicago market, this time in our camp.”
DDB Chicago is the company’s highest performing outfit in North America and has bagged more than 80 accolades for client work this year alone.
Of his new workmate, DDB Chicago’s Jatene said: “Having a partner like Emma will make us that much more fierce. She’s a genuine champion of creativity and culture and we are lucky to have her unique energy and talent.”
Her arrival will see the agency “be an unstoppable force”, he added.
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