Lucky Generals Hires Katie Lee as CEO

Lucky Generals is hiring Katie Lee as its first CEO. Katie had recently arrived as MD of Y&R London when the agency entered into a merger with VML.

Katie began her career at CDP before working her way up the ranks of Saatchi & Saatchi and BBH. She then became MD of Leo Burnett followed by stints in the same role at Gravity Road and Sunshine. She built a reputation for strong business development across all three companies and was a Co-chair of the IPA's New Business and Marketing Group.

The hire comes at a busy time for Lucky Generals: last year, the agency won the £50m Co-op account and £45m global pitch for Celebrity Cruises as well as international assignments for Budweiser, among others.  Last week, unconfirmed reports emerged that it was to open an office in New York, to reflect the fact that around 50% of its income now comes from American clients.  Katie’s role will be UK-focused, reporting into Founding Partner Helen Calcraft. 

Katie said: "From all the conversations I have had over the past few months, what really stood out was the absolute passion and commitment that Lucky Generals place on the work and their people. While others are getting distracted with structure and capability, this focus on what's important will continue to set Lucky Generals apart for the next five years. I feel very lucky to be part of such a brilliant team - this is the kind of fairytale I want my kids believing in."

 

Helen said: “This is a rare case of the perfect person being available at the perfect time for us.  Katie is not only a brilliant practitioner, equally comfortable leading pitches and running an agency, but a great cultural fit for us.  She joins us at a time when we are expanding rapidly, at home and abroad.  I am not going anywhere but Katie's arrival will help us to grow and develop our brand without dropping the ball with our much-loved existing clients. It'll be a Thelma and Louise partnership, without the driving-over-a-cliff bit at the end!"