Mark Tutssel Appointed as Executive Chairman of Leo Burnett Worldwide

Leo Burnett Worldwide has named Mark Tutssel executive chairman, as Rich Stoddart, president of Leo Burnett Worldwide, departs to pursue a new venture.

Tutssel is the first creative leader of the whole Leo Burnett agency since Leo Burnett himself. His new role will be focussed on creative excellence and growth, ensuring the collective talents of the global network are working on behalf of clients and maintaining Leo Burnett’s unique culture.

Under his leadership in his previous role as global chief creative officer, Leo Burnett developed campaigns for global brands including Samsung, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. His work has gone towards the agency winning nine Grands Prix in Cannes and keeping it consistently in the rankings of the top five most awarded agency networks in the world.

Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun said: “First, I want to acknowledge and deeply thank Rich Stoddart for his energy and commitment to Leo Burnett’s clients, culture and people. After 23 years with the agency, Rich has decided to move on to a new professional challenge. Mark’s appointment is a profound statement of the value we place in the power of creativity. Mark will be the first creative at the helm of the agency since Leo the man. Mark is one of the most proven, admired and awarded creative leaders in our industry, and I have great respect for his passion and authority in the world of brand-building creativity.”

“I am truly delighted to assume the mantel at Leo Burnett, a global company that has the talent, the passion and the ambition to deliver the game-changing ideas our clients deserve,” Tutssel said. “It is a tremendous honor and responsibility to live up to the ideals of Leo Burnett himself and deliver them in a new age of technology and opportunity.”