Leo Burnett Chicago today named Aki Spicer to the role of chief strategy officer. Elevated from the role of EVP and Global Strategy Lead, Spicer begins in his new role immediately and will report to Andrew Swinand, Leo Burnett Group CEO.
“Aki is a rare thinker who’s steeped in the classical aspects of the discipline, but with the edge to help architect our agency for the future of the industry,” said Swinand. “Cultural fluency, a dynamic understanding of data and a passion for experience design, he brings it all to the table.”
Spicer will be charged with leading a team of more than 40 strategists across Leo Burnett Chicago’s client roster.
Spicer joined Leo Burnett in October 2018 to lead global strategy for Samsung, spanning Mobile, Visual Display and Appliances, Brand and Post-Purchase Experience, since then taking on responsibility for additional clients including Facebook Messenger. Prior to joining the agency, Aki served as Chief Strategy Officer at TBWA/Chiat/Day New York where he worked on marquee brands like Nissan, McDonald’s and Hilton, and helped productize that agency’s offerings through new processes and methodologies.
“Leo Burnett is a storied brand with an incredible legacy of creative innovation, paving the way for modern disciplines like media and content strategy, experience design and the idea of building populist brands through cultural relevancy,” Spicer said. “Where better than Leo Burnett to reprise that for this modern era? I’m thrilled to take up that mantle and carry it forward in a world where data promises to make us smarter than ever across so many channels.”
In his new role, Spicer will work closely with recently appointed Chief Creative Officer Jordan Doucette to elevate the agency’s ability to deliver platform ideas, work across teams to help articulate the marriage of strategy and data, and strengthen the integration of creative disciplines within the department’s offering.
Spicer has been featured at 4As, AMA, Chief Digital Officer Forum and Planning-ness conferences. He has been published in Fast Company, AdMap, and The Age of Conversation books, and his work has been awarded by Cannes Lions, Effies, AdFed and Google Creative Canvas. He also taught the first e-marketing curriculum at University of Minnesota, and was most recently noted as one of Campaign Magazine’s “40 Over 40” Digital Marketers.
About Leo Burnett Chicago
Leo Burnett is a creative solutions company founded on the idea that “what helps people helps business.” By solving human problems with the power of creativity, Leo Burnett delivers value for people and prosperity for brands. Part of the Publicis Power of One, Leo Burnett won 25 Lions at the 2019 Cannes International Festival of Creativity. To learn more about Leo Burnett and its rich, 84-year history, visit our site, Facebook page and follow the agency via @leoburnettchi.
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