Former Wieden+Kennedy executive Clare Pickens set to take CEO role at Leo Burnett Australia

Publicis Groupe ANZ today announced the appointment of Clare Pickens as CEO of Leo Burnett Australia. The former Wieden+Kennedy executive will take the helm of the award-winning creative agency in April.

Michael Rebelo, CEO of Publicis Groupe ANZ, said that following a global search, Pickens’ strong creative pedigree and proven track record as an agency business leader made her ideal for the role.

Says Rebelo: “Clare is a leader who has worked across multiple markets and client categories, with a progressive view on creativity and what it takes to deliver innovative and effective work. Having spent over ten years at Wieden+Kennedy, she led an international team and managed a range of successful global client relationships. Her commercial acumen has been honed leading creative agencies focused on building business through creativity. We are excited to bring such a unique international leader to Australia to lead Leo Burnett.”

Pickens fills the void left by the departure of former CEO Emma Montgomery, who left in June last year to take the CEO role at DDB Chicago.

Pickens worked in various roles at Wieden+Kennedy, based in Amsterdam and London. She led brand strategy and creative quality, delivering on business objectives for brands including Uber, Nike, Mondelez, Instagram, Heineken, P&G, Netflix, Diageo, Levi’s and Booking.com. She was also previously Global Managing Director of creative agency Red & Co. and was most recently Managing Director of HERC Amsterdam.

Says Pickens: “I am deeply excited by the opportunity to join the Leo Burnett team in Australia. Being part of such an established group with a legacy of effective and quality creative work is a great privilege. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and helping usher in a new phase of progressive partnership and business solutions with our wide client base. I’m joining a seasoned team with an ambitious vision and anticipate a wonderful year to come for Leo Burnett, Australia. I hope to bring some of the charm of the Dutch canals to the southern hemisphere, but certainly not the weather!”.