Nicola Novellone Named Chairman & CEO of Leo Burnett Central and Eastern Europe

CHICAGO - Leo Burnett today announced that Nicola Novellone, 44, current Managing Director and New Business Director of Leo Burnett Milan, will become the Chairman and CEO of Central and Eastern Europe, effective immediately. Novellone will be based in Warsaw and will become a member of the agency’s Global Leadership Council.

Novellone takes over from Jarek Ziebinski, who will now lead the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China). Ziebinski’s move was announced in March as part of a series of shifts within the agency. As part of those moves, Michelle Kristula-Green (the former Asia-Pacific lead) became the Global Head of HR and Patrick Venetucci (the former Global Head of HR) stepped into the newly-created Deputy Chief Operating Officer role.

“Nicola’s record speaks for itself,” said Leo Burnett Worldwide Chairman and CEO, Tom Bernardin. “During his eight year tenure in Milan, established LB Italy as the fastest growing and most creative agency in Italy. Simultaneously, he played a critical role in helping us win significant pieces of new business in other markets, like Dubai and Russia. I have every faith that he’ll bring his Midas touch to CEE.”

NOVELLONE BACKGROUND

Novellone, a 16-year Burnett veteran, has vast experience in leading both accounts and operations. Prior to being named Managing Director of Leo Burnett Milan in 2001, he led the agency’s Fiat business in Europe for nine years and grew it substantially, particularly in Eastern Europe. Given his success, he moved to Leo Burnett Brazil in 1997 and led the Fiat business in Latin America. He returned to Italy in 1999 as Managing Director of LB Rome, where he was until he moved to Milan two years later.

About Leo Burnett and Arc - www.leoburnett.com

Leo Burnett Company, Inc., comprising the Leo Burnett brand agency and marketing services partner Arc Worldwide, is one of the world’s largest agency networks and a subsidiary of Publicis Groupe (www.publicisgroupe.com), the world’s fourth-largest communications company. Leo Burnett holds people at the center of its strategic thinking, technological innovation and creative ideas, focusing first and foremost on human behavior before attempting to tell a brand’s story.

With this approach, Leo Burnett ensures that people who buy into client brands believe in them all the more. With expertise in mass advertising and digital, promotional and retail marketing, Leo Burnett partners with blue-chip clients such as The Coca-Cola Company, General Motors, Kellogg, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble and Samsung. The company has won more advertising awards for campaign effectiveness than any other agency in the last six years in the U.S., has been heralded as a “pioneer on the frontier of marketing” and was ranked as the second-most creative network in 2008.

Source: Leo Burnett

Abby Lovett of Leo Burnett WW, +1-312-220-4182, abby.lovett at leoburnett.com