Publicis Groupe ANZ has appointed Clare Pickens as CEO of Leo Burnett Australia, replacing Emma Montgomery, who stood down in June last year.
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.
“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,” Rebelo said.
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.
On her appointment, Pickens said: “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!”.
