Leo Burnett Australia announces key leadership changes amid departure of Melbourne GM Kate Silver

Leo Burnett Australia key leadership appointments - Marijke Spain, Andy Fergusson, and Julia Sheehan

Previous Melbourne general manager, Kate Silver, departs after eight years in the role.

Advertising agency Leo Burnett Australia has announced significant internal promotions, appointing Andy Fergusson as the new chief creative officer, Julia Sheehan as Melbourne general manager. Marijke Spain has been promoted from associate creative director to creative Director.

The shift comes as previous Melbourne GM, Kate Silver, announces on her departure after eight years in the role. Said Silver, “After almost eight fantastic years at Leo Burnett, I have decided to leave the business to spend more time with my family.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and while I feel ready for a new chapter, I’m also sad to say goodbye to a place that has given me so much.”

Michael Rebelo, chief executive officer of Publicis Groupe Australia and New Zealand, stated, “These strategic promotions underscore Leo Burnett’s commitment to innovation and client success. I look forward to seeing Julia’s leadership and Andy’s creative prowess set new benchmarks in the industry.”

Sheehan’s contributions to the Melbourne team, working with clients like HBF, Saputo, and Lifeblood, have played a pivotal role in the agency’s growth and client relationships.

Leo Burnett further lists that Fergusson, previously the national executive creative director, has been instrumental in the success of award-winning campaigns such as Suncorp’s Resilience brand platform and Diageo’s Bundy Mixer.

Dave Bowman, chief creative officer at Publicis Groupe, said: “I’m incredibly excited to see Andy take this well-deserved next step in his career. Under his leadership, Leo’s has established a reputation for category-defying creativity that has been recognised at the highest levels on the world stage. I can’t wait to see what he can achieve next with his amazing team.”

Bowman continued, “I’m equally delighted to see Marijke step into her new leadership role. Marijke has been instrumental in shaping the creative output at Leos, taking brands to new heights. And now, as creative director, she is perfectly placed to make an even more pronounced impact on the work and our clients’ businesses.”

Spain’s noteworthy contributions include leading some of Leo Burnett’s most-awarded work and fostering a strong client relationship with Suncorp.

See also: Aussie comedian Jimmy Rees fronts new campaign for Singapore Tourism

Top Image: Marijke Spain, Andy Fergusson & Julia Sheehan (L to R)

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