Leo Burnett Chicago Names Kate Jeffers Chief Executive Officer

Leo Burnett Chicago today announced the hire of Kate Jeffers as chief executive officer, effective May 15th. Jeffers will oversee Leo Burnett’s flagship Chicago office and operations, and the agency’s brand partnerships including Bank of America, Beam Suntory, Kellogg’s, Molson Coors, Nintendo and Tillamook. She will relocate to Chicago, reporting to Publicis Groupe Creative US CEO Susie Nam.

“I’ve long admired Leo Burnett for its bold creative ambition, driven by a long-standing belief that what helps people, helps business,” said Kate. “Few agencies have a 90-year track record of consistently innovating to build brands at mass scale, to activate audiences, and to impact culture. I’m honoured and excited to work alongside Leo Burnett’s incredible team and clients to seize our existing momentum and amplify our advantages.”

Kate joins Leo Burnett after two decades at Venables Bell + Partners (VB+P), the independent creative agency best known for its work on brands including Audi, Chipotle, Intel, Reebok and REI. She most recently served as partner and president, overseeing the agency’s long-term vision and day-to-day operations, and working alongside its leadership to ensure inspired people, clients, and creative work. While at VB+P, Kate helped lead the agency to significant growth via new business and the diversification of its offering, with capabilities in experience design, integrated production, retail, and issue/advocacy marketing. She was also pivotal to the agency’s early adoption of AI, leading the launch of its AI consultancy, BRAIVE, as well as multiple equity investments in AI start-ups.

Previously, Kate spent time at Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles and Paris, TBWA/Chiat/Day and Goodby Silverstein & Partners, working across categories on significant brands and initiatives, including launching both the Apple iPod and Toyota Prius.

"Kate is a creative driven leader who exemplifies the values of a Burnetter," said Britt Nolan, chief creative officer, Leo Burnett Chicago. “She is a natural fit to accelerate how we continue to put people first, lead in the market, and build around delivering inspired work and making an impact for our clients.”

“Kate comes to Leo Burnett with an impressive track record for building an agency culture that inspires creativity, nurtures innovation and delivers for today’s marketers,” said Susie. “When you combine that with Leo Burnett’s consumer acumen, range and expertise in building brands for the masses, it puts Leo Burnett on a trajectory to assert its right to lead the industry creatively.”