Leo Burnett consolidates Asia Pacific & Greater China Regions

Tom Bernardin, Chairman and CEO of Leo Burnett Worldwide announced today the consolidation of Leo Burnett operations across Greater China and Asia Pacific. Jarek Ziebinski, currently President of Leo Burnett Asia Pacific, will be taking over as Chairman and CEO for the consolidated operation including China as of 1st September 2014. Eddie Booth, regional chairman and CEO of Greater China will be retiring from Leo Burnett following 15 years at the agency. Booth will continue to be with the agency until the 31st December 2014 to see through the smooth transition of leadership.

Said Bernardin, “Eddie and I have been in talks regarding his plans to retire from the agency over the past year. After more than 20 years in the industry and 15 years of successful leadership at Leo Burnett in Greater China, Eddie has decided it’s time to retire from advertising. We want to thank him for his wonderful work building Leo Burnett Greater China to what it is today and wish him every success as he embarks on his new journey in life.”

In his new role, Ziebinski will continue to report directly to Bernardin and will split his time between Shanghai and Singapore. Donald Chan, Group CEO of Leo Burnett China will be assuming additional duties to oversee Leo Burnett Hong Kong. Both Chan and Margaret Huang, Group CEO of Leo Burnett Taiwan will report to Ziebinski.

“The consolidation of Leo Burnett’s Asia Pacific and Greater China operations is a strategic decision to bring together the best of the network’s resources, talents and capabilities across these two important regions under one proven leader. The scale and efficiencies Leo Burnett will be able to achieve from the consolidation will enable the network to deliver greater value for our clients’ businesses in today’s environment of remarkable change and possibilities,” said Bernardin.

Continued Bernardin,” Jarek’s track record of success across two very different regions - Central Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific - at Leo Burnett speak for itself. The growth and momentum he delivered for Leo Burnett in Asia Pacific over the past five years makes him the ideal candidate to take over the consolidated leadership of Leo Burnett in this region. Asia Pacific is a critically important region for the Leo Burnett global network and I’m confident that with Jarek at the helm, he will be able to help us deliver the best in the world, bar none.”