Leo Burnett hires Carol Lam from DDB for Greater China role

Leo Burnett has hired Carol Lam to lead its Greater China creative effort as president and chief creative officer.

Victor Manggunio, current CCO of Leo Burnett China, will leave Leo Burnett next week, the agency confirmed.

Lam, who has been MD and CCO at DDB Group Hong Kong since early in 2016, is still working at DDB and will join Leo Burnett in mid May, reporting to Michael Lee, CEO of Publicis Communications Greater China. 

The role is newly created, according to the agency. Donald Chan was CEO of Leo Burnett Greater China from 2012 until early in 2015, but there has not been a CCO role at the Greater China level, a spokesperson said. Margaret Huang was named chairwoman of Leo Burnett Greater China in November.

Lam is returning to Leo Burnett, where she worked for a few years in the 1990s. Since then her career has taken her to J. Walter Thompson, Ogilvy & Mather, McCann Erickson Hong Kong (leading Cathay Pacific), TBWA Shanghai, McCann Shanghai (as MD and CCO) and Saatchi & Saatchi South China (as CCO and managing partner) before her move to DDB Hong Kong last year.

Lam and Lee worked together at Saatchi & Saatchi, and Lee has been pursuing her for Leo Burnett for a year, according to a statement.

“I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Carol for many years in the past and have long looked forward to having the opportunity to work with her again," Lee said. "She is reputable, passionate, and a true master of her craft. I believe that this addition will infuse the creative team at Leo Burnett with new energy and a drive to innovate that will prove invaluable to our clients.” 

Lam said her mission is "to carry on the incredible culture and brand capital built up by Leo Burnett over the past 81 years".