Todd Sampson finally makes the move to non- executive chairman role at Leo Burnett Australia

SYDNEY – After nearly 12 years with Leo Burnett and eight of them as CEO, Todd Sampson is stepping down as CEO and moving to a non-executive chairman role. As many in the industry has long expected, Peter Bosilkovski (near left), who was appointed as managing director last year, will now become the CEO of the Sydney office. Melinda Geertz (far left) will remain the CEO of the Melbourne office.

The move comes four months after the departure of chief creative officer Andy DiLallo to M&C Saatchi Sydney in May, a role that has not yet been filled. 

“I have been the CEO of this company for eight years and it’s time for change,” says Sampson (above centre). “I have always been open and clear about my succession plan. Establish two strong leaders and management teams in each office and then give them the space they need, and deserve to do their jobs. Peter Bosilkovski’s appointment as CEO of the Sydney office was the final piece in that puzzle.

“Moving to a non-executive Chairman role not only gives Peter and Melinda space, it also gives me more time to focus on my other interests, particularly in the start-up space. As the non-executive Chairman, my job now is to help mentor and support both Melinda and Peter as they bring to life their ambitions for Leo Burnett.”

Says Bosilkovski: “I’m exceptionally passionate about Leo Burnett, its future and our people, and the changes our industry is now facing. Todd has been an incredible mentor to me and a friend for over 6 years and I appreciate the opportunity he has given me. I’m also glad this partnership will continue in his new role as a non-executive Chairman.”

Under his leadership, Leo Burnett has won Agency of the Year 14 times on a local, regional and global level. They have ranked in the Top 10 Creative Agencies of the World twice, with 6 consecutive years of double-digit growth and an average Staff Engagement Score of 82%.

The move is not expected as in recent years Sampson’s public profiler has rocketed, due to his panellist role on The Gruen Transfer and Gruen Planet and as a guest host on The Project. Last year he starred in science documentary series, Redesign My Brain.

Sampson started in advertising at The White House, Cape Town. In the mid-1990s, he worked as a strategist at The Campaign Palace. He joined Leo Burnett Sydney in 2002 and was later appointed CEO of Leo Burnett Australia.

He is the co-creator of the Earth Hour initiative – one of the largest environmental movements in history, reaching more than 1.4 billion people in more than 5,500 cities.

In 2014, Sampson was appointed to the board of directors of Fairfax Media and in February 2015, Sampson joined the Qantas board of directors as a non-executive director.