Johannes Leonardo’s Next Era of Creative Leadership Rises Up

Johannes Leonardo capitalises on strong momentum and growth with a series of senior creative promotions and a key hire. 

This includes: 

● Jonathan Santana - promoted from executive creative director to chief creative officer.

● Zoe Kessler, Jeph Burton, and Hunter Hampton promoted from group creative directors to executive creative directors. 

● Lex Beltrone joins Johannes Leonardo from FCB as executive creative director. 

These moves come during a successful period for the agency. Johannes Leonardo celebrated its best year in business last year with 24% revenue growth and is continuing to add to its global client roster; the latest addition -196 from within the Suntory portfolio of brands. Staying true to the agency’s founding belief the 'Consumer is the Medium’, JL continues to create audacious and world-class ideas for iconic clients such as adidas, Instagram, Kraft-Heinz and Volkswagen. These promotions recognize the team's exceptional work in delivering outstanding brand ideas worthy of participation by consumers. 

With over 20 years experience and more than 70 international awards including Cannes Grand Prix, Jonathan Santana has worked on some of the world's most iconic brands. Stella Artois, Guinness, Absolut, Honda, Ikea, and more. After joining Johannes Leonardo in early 2022 as group creative director for Volkswagen, he quickly rose to executive creative director, driving a creative renaissance within the agency, and leading Volkswagen’s first Super Bowl commercial in ten years with the spot ranking as the most effective ad on the night. Recently honoured in Adweek’s Creative 100, as an agency creative leader, Jonathan is now stepping into the role of chief creative officer. Jonathan aims to craft the world’s most courageous and revered advertising, making Johannes Leonardo the most enviable agency to work with, and for. He has fostered an open, human-centred approach to achieving creative excellence while nurturing the aspirations and growth of the entire creative team. 

The agency has also promoted award-winning Johannes Leonardo veterans Jeph Burton, Hunter Hampton, and Zoe Kessler to executive creative directors, with Lex Beltrone joining from FCB NY to round out the executive creative team. 

Jeph Burton and Hunter Hampton, have been a guiding force at the agency for the past nine years. Cannes Grand Prix award winners, they are cultural visionaries within the agency and the industry. Jeph and Hunter are leading the charge on adidas and have invigorated their portfolio with authenticity and energy. They push boundaries and elevate work other agency brands like Instagram, and Ore-Ida, helping solidify these brands in culture. They have been instrumental in several new business wins, diversifying JL’s roster and enabling the agency to take more creative leaps. 

Throughout Zoe’s career, she’s been the mind behind some of the industry’s most awarded and breakthrough creative, and has also been featured on The Drum’s 50 under 30 list, earned a spot on Adweek’s Creative 100 in 2017, and was named as a finalist for Creative Director of the Year in 2018. During Zoe’s time at Johannes Leonardo, she has been instrumental in key client relationships at the agency, including Uber and Kraft Heinz. 

Over the past 18 years, Lex has worked at a number of New York agencies, most recently FCB, where he lead creative for the world-renowned, multiple award-winning, Michelob ULTRA work. 

Together, this team will continue to inspire a creatively audacious spirit throughout the agency, cultivating the JL culture, and guiding the agency's creative department and output toward continued success in this next chapter. 

“Nothing brings us more pleasure than to recognize and create a platform for our next generation of deserving creative leaders at JL. We are spoiled, not only with some of the biggest brands and creative opportunities out there, but also with the most talented, big hearted and modern creative leaders in the industry. We have no doubt they will take us to new heights and achieve the collective ambitions we are setting ourselves” said Jan Jacobs & Leo Premutico, co-founders and creative chairmen, Johannes Leonardo. 

“I’m truly humbled and excited for this opportunity to lead and inspire the agency’s next era of creative success. To do so alongside Jan Jacobs, Leo Premutico, Helen Andrews, and this incredible team is a dream. With a continued emphasis on nurturing our people, instilling our culture at the heart of everything we do, and creating audacious ideas worthy of the world’s participation, we have the right ingredients for greatness.” said Jonathan Santana, CCO, Johannes Leonardo.