After 20-year career Leo Burnett non-executive chairman Todd Sampson quits the ad business
After a stellar 20-year career in advertising, Todd Sampson, non-executive chairman of Leo Burnett Australia, has quit the business.
Sampson stepped down as CEO in August 2015, replaced by Peter Bosilkovski in Sydney and Melinda Geertz in Melbourne.
To the public, Sampson is best known for hosting ABC’s Redesign My Brain, Network Ten’s Body Hack and of course as co-star of ABC’s The Gruen Transfer.
Says Sampson: “After nearly 10 years and over eight of them as a CEO, it’s time for me to finally say goodbye to Leo Burnett. I have always believed your job as a leader is not complete until your succession is in place and thriving and that is the reason I stayed on over the last year as a non-executive Chair. I can confidently now say – my job is done.
“Peter Bosilkovski in Sydney and Melinda Geertz (below) in Melbourne are doing outstanding jobs and Leo Burnett, a company I will always love, has gotten stronger and stronger.
“Over 20 years ago, I was studying an MBA and my marketing lecturer fell down and broke her back. As a result she got a series of guest lecturers to substitute and one of those was a creative director from an advertising agency. He spoke about ideas, imagination and how an individual’s mind could change almost anything. That lecture was the start of a 20 year advertising journey that would twist and turn around the globe and eventually lead me here. I’m very thankful for everything this industry has given me. I’ve worked with some of the most vibrant, diverse and clever minds on three continents and I’m proud to have been a part of it.”
Says Bosilkovski (above right): “Todd may be leaving the industry in a formal capacity, but the impact, influence and invaluable contribution he has had on Leo Burnett and the advertising industry as a whole will always be remembered. During his time as CEO, we won Agency of the Year 12 times on a local, regional and global level and were in the world’s Top 10 Creative agencies three times.
“It’s been an honour to have worked alongside such a rare talent, and I thank Todd for all he has achieved for Leo Burnett and wish him all the best for the future.”
11 Comments
He can finally do something that’s actually “good” now.
Well done.
Time to make another TV series about Todd Sampson.
He must’ve run out of t-shirts?
Sheesh, the guy’s a legend – hope he’s not reading the thread.
Best of luck from the 303 crowd Todd, you’ve done us all proud.
When you start advertising dog food described as ‘Succulent Morrocan Lamb on a delightful bed of cous cous and hand picked herbs packed in an easy to use sachet you’re dogs will love’ you’re a working class traitor.
I love dogs but they would rather eat catshit on the way to the park.
What he does is not just insulting, it’s viciously cruel.
He’s too busy counting his money to be worrying about what a load of bitter creatives think of him.
Good on you Todd. Congrats.
Good stuff Todd. Best for your next big plans.
Great to move onto something else. But why is he quitting? That’s what I want to know.
Never worked with Todd but would have loved to.
I think it is a shame that two of our strongest advocates for the craft of Advertising have now directly left the fold – first Russell Howcroft (ex-GPY&R) and now Todd (Leos). I hope both guys continue to positively engage the public around our industry. Even if such commentary is slightly from afar in related marketing and media roles. It does show there is a bigger world beyond what we do in Ad-land, and it’s also a great spring-board, and that’s a heartening thing.
As much as I disliked the Gruen Concept initially (it reminded me too much of work when I wanted to put my feet up, and engaged agencies to give away concepts for free in their pitch segments while they sold the show to a network), the whole exercise has been great for increasing understanding of the person in the street around what we do every day and the importance of it to inform, sell, persuade and entertain.
All the very best Todd. Looking forward to seeing your creativity spread its wings in different ways. Lets pray you don’t run out of T-shirts.
What’s going on?
Has this industry really become that shit?
Don’t know him. Heard him speak at an event and his ego was bigger than the stage. On paper it was meant to be something about creativity, but in reality it was all about how amazing he was to have climbed Everest. Even his LB PR handlers were embarrassed trying to get me to report on the presentation.
Good luck to him though.