Ogilvy’s Hilary Badger jumps to Leo Australia
Publicis Groupe’s recently-renamed creative agency Leo Australia has made three executive creative director appointments, including nabbing Ogilvy’s award-winning creative, Hilary Badger.
Badger joins the holdco agency after two years with competitor WPP’s Ogilvy, where she led the agency to win global awards including AWARD, Cannes Lions, Spikes, and OneAsia, as well as the local Effies, including 2024’s APAC Grand Effie.
She has worked with brands across the financial services, FMCG, automotive, retail, government, and tourism sectors. Outside the industry, she is the best-seller author of the widely popular Zac Power series.
“With new business wins, new energy, even a new name — what an exciting time to join Clare Pickens, Andy Fergusson and the team. Creating transformative work for Australia’s biggest brands is what drives me. And to do so at Leo where diversity and humanity are recognised as essential to creativity — I’ve found the right home,” Badger said.
“With the seamless integration of agencies in Publicis Groupe elevating Leo’s own creative and strategic prowess, there’s a clear path forward to achieving the biggest, bravest and most effective creative work with the team at Leo.”
Her appointment comes shortly after Leo won the consolidated Suncorp portfolio, including the AAMI, GIO, and Suncorp brands, which was previously with Ogilvy.
Andy Fergusson, chief creative officer at Leo Australia, said: “I’m very excited that Hilary is joining the team. I’ve been a big fan of her work for a while now. She has a proven track record as a creative leader and is respected throughout the industry.
“She is the right person to build on the momentum in our Melbourne office; we are lucky to have her.”
Leo Australia has also promoted group creative directors Tommy Cehak and Tim Woolford to executive creative directors in Sydney.
The pair have been with Leo since 2023, working with clients including Diageo, Amazon, and DNSW.
“I also couldn’t be happier to announce Tim and Tommy’s promotion,” Fergusson said.
“Since joining Leo, they have made a huge impact on the work, the people, and the culture. They have been instrumental in strengthening the agency’s position, and I am excited to see them grow into their new roles moving forward.”
The appointments mark the first major movements for the agency since being renamed.
Last month, the global consolidation of Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwide was announced, but Mumbrella understands there was no immediate impact to the agencies locally.
The Publicis Worldwide brand name has remained in Australia, and there have been no changes to the general operations or structure of Leo Burnett, beyond the name change to Leo.
Globally, the new entity has a creative force of 15,000 — 8,000 from Leo Burnett and 7,000 from Publicis Worldwide — across 90 countries.
It is led by co-presidents Marco Venturelli and Agathe Bousquet, and chief strategy officer Gareth Goodall. Meanwhile, Andrew Bruce, CEO of Publicis Groupe Canada, has also taken on the additional role of chairman, Leo North America.
The Leo ‘constellation’ sits in Publicis Groupe’s global creative roster alongside Saatchi & Saatchi, LePub, BBH, Fallon, The Community, and Le Truc.
Keep up to date with the latest in media and marketing
Got a tip?
Lauren McNamara was the associate editor at Mumbrella. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS. She left Mumbrella in August 2025.
Linkedin
Have your say