Leo Burnett Singapore strengthens creative offering with the appointment of O&M CD

Effective May 3, 2004, Seve Straw will join Leo Burnett Singapore. Linda Locke will step aside as Executive Creative Director of Leo Burnett Singapore - she will however retain her role as agency Chairman and Regional Creative Director working on regional clients based in Singapore.

Said Linda Locke, Regional Creative Director, Leo Burnett Asia Pacific, "Steve's appointment comes at a time when we're strengthening our creative department in Singapore - the agency is presently a top two player creatively in this market and one of the top five agencies in the region (according to recent results at the regional advertising award shows). Steve's work is fresh and conceptually strong, and we're very excited to have him join the team."

In the last two years Straw has held the position of creative director at O&M Johannesburg. In 2003, the agency won five of the six pitches it participated in and was recently crowned joint 'Agency of the Year' with TBWA Hunt Lascaris – one of the most respected agencies in the world. In March 2004, the agency – for the first time ever- picked up the Grand Prix for effectiveness for one of Straw's key clients – Exclusive Books.

Said Straw on his new appointment with Leo Burnett, "Leo Burnett is an exceptional agency network with a strong reputation for being the group that people join and never leave, which is quite unique in the world of advertising, and a major draw card for me. The move to Singapore was also appealing, as was the opportunity to work with one of the regions most respected creatives – Linda Locke."

Straw has also worked at Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis and BLGK Bates in South Africa and has collected an assortment of awards including Cannes, One Show and the Loeries.

With worldwide billings of $9.9 billion in 2001, Leo Burnett is part of the Paris-based Publicis Groupe (www.publicis.com) - the world's fourth-largest communications holding company.