Leo Burnett

Well, not really, but Hill Holiday's Ilya Vedrashko points out on his Adverlab blog that this little clip from a Pokemon episode relays the message "Leo Burnett and 4Kids are the devil, Leo Burnett!" when played backwards. Vedrashko directs us to this site for a better explanation of the animated shenanigans.

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Arc Worldwide, the marketing services arm of Leo Burnett, announced today the addition of Nick Jones.

Jones will act as the retail practice lead and account director, servicing the P&G, The Coca-Cola Company and McDonald's accounts. He began in September.

In a statement, the agency said Jones will also handle innovation and thought leadership within the retail practice and oversee "the implementation of a consistent vision for the discipline and best practices in the retail space. In addition, Jones will take the lead on several key accounts, including Comcast, Miller-Coors and Coke."

Prior to joining Arc, Jones led IPG/DraftFCB, Rivet London.

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Despite recent significant hirings including Susans Treacy and Credle, a few tipsters are telling us that the Detroit branch of Leo Burnett is nevertheless suffering a bit and laying off staff of undisclosed numbers. We've pinged the HR, PR, etc. departments at the Bob Lutz-approved agency but the phone at times just keeps ringing. Stay tuned and feel free to email our tipline if you have more info or any sort of verification.

Update: Leo Burnett tells us that 11 people in fact have been impacted. From the agency: "While it is always difficult to let people go, these adjustments are necessary to keep staffing in line with business needs. The agency is doing everything possible to help those affected through this transition."

More: "George Katsarelas's Pro Bono Project Posthumously Launches"

Kimbo Slice is one of those people we all hope never to cross. Why? Your face would lose out. Slice is a street fighter, made famous for pummeling dudes in random places like boat yards. And pretty much anywhere where he can swing his wrecking ball like fists at aforementioned dudes' stupid-for-thinking-this-was-a-good-idea faces.

And now Leo Burnett and Arc Worldwide have harnessed Kimbo's fury for another Norton Anti-virus ad. In it, a caterpillar is your computer. Kimbo is a virus. How does this drama play out? Click play to see what haps (hint: animal cruelty bad, de-limbing a giant street fighter good).

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Leo Burnett USA welcomed Susan Treacy as SVP/CD where she'll lead creative and strategic initiatives for the Hallmark business and other brands.

Though her most recent post prior to joining Leo was ECD at Atlanta-based agency 22squared, Treacy also had stints at Fallon and TBWA\Chiat\Day, creating traditional and interactive work for clients including Nordstrom, BMW, KitchenAid, Adidas and Fox Sports.

The 16-year ad vet, whose efforts have earned Cannes Lions, Effies and One Show awards along the way, has also judged New York ADCs, The Andys and has taught at the Miami Ad School.

Speaking of Leo, global PR director Abby Lovett announced that she's leaving the agency after five years to pursue a consumer PR role at Weber Shandwick, though she'll still remain in Chicago.

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Nearly two months after the sudden passing of Leo Burnett Detroit ECD George Katsarelas, the creative's passion project to encourage enrollment in Detroit public schools has finally come to fruition.

Leo Detroit ECD Jeff Cruz carried on Katsarelas's pro bono work for the DPS "I'm In" campaign, which centers on 172 standard-size blue doors that will be planted throughout the Motor City in notable locales like Hart Plaza and Belle Isle to encourage kids to sign up for one of the city's 172 public schools this fall.

Through August and September, Leo will roll out campaign components including radio spots featuring notable DPS grads including ex-NBA star Derrick Coleman and Judge Mathis, a door painting ceremony with Coleman, bus wraps on public transit and a back to school parade/rally.

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That's right we said it — this ad for Proctor & Gamble's Rejoice Conditioner is neat-o. It's different, OK? Feel free to dispute effectiveness all day long.

Gizmodo via Business Week (And the beautiful Paola)

Isabel Ontoso joined Leo Burnett Spain as Chairman/CEO and will assume her post in the agency's Madrid base effective immediately. Ontoso didn't have to splurge on moving expenses seeing that she's already spent the last several years as CEO of Publicis Spain, overseeing client work for Renault, Coke Light and Beam Spirits among others. Along with the top executive billing, the 49-year-old will also serve as a member of the agency's Global Leadership Council.

More: "About that Leo Burnett LA Closing Rumor"

Lately we've heard some rumblings from a few of you that the Los Angeles offices of Leo Burnett are closing. We called around and eventually got an answer that makes more sense. And let's be honest — the fewer agency closings, the better.

According to a source within the agency, one of the two offices in LA is no longer needed. Yes, that's not necessarily a good thing, but saving money just makes sense. Apparently some of the GM team was needed in Detroit — the agency wanted those folks closer to the client, etc. But the shop, as best we can tell, is still very much open for business. Could this be an indicator of things to come? Who knows, but it's definitely a trend that's popped up lately.

Better to sacrifice office space than bodies.

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Last week, SVP ECD George Katsarelas passed away. The 49 year-old writer apparently had a heart attack earlier last week and was being kept on life support. He was taken off of life support today and passed on shortly after.

Katsarelas is a Michigan State grad. He studied advertising and communications there and later became a copywriter. He spent five years at Doner before moving on to an ACD position with Campbell-Ewald. He stayed with the agency for seven years, but most recently served Leo Burnett as an SVP, ECD, beginning in 1994.

Under his direction, his teams created myriad award-winning campaigns for the likes of Pontiac, Cadillac, GM Service Parts and AC Delco. He was president of the Detroit Creative Director's Council and an active member of the Detroit advertising community.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Katsarelas family during this extraordinarily difficult time," said Leo Burnett Worldwide Chairman and CEO Tom Bernardin. "George was extremely talented and a wonderful family man and friend."

Katsarelas is survived by his wife, Mary, two sons, Max and Nick, and daughter, Elizabeth.

Arrangements for George are as follows:

Visitation will be Monday 2:00 pm — 8:00 pm with prayer at 7:00 pm.

Funeral will be at 10:00 am Tues. St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Westland.

McCabe Funeral Home
31950 W. 12 Mile
Farmington Hills, MI
Tel: 248-553-0120

St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church
36375 Joy Road
Westland, MI
Tel: 734-525-6789