Leo Burnett Names New Arc Management

    

Leo Burnett Group has created a new management team at its brand activation division, ARC. Ian Thomas and Michelle Whelan have been promoted to Managing Partners, and will work alongside incoming Executive Creative Director Beri Cheetham in the leadership of Arc.

 

The new management team will be charged with  realising Leo Burnett Group's considerable creative ambition for the Arc brand as a leader within an increasingly complex marketplace. The promotions take place with immediate effect.

 

Ian Thomas was previously Head of Account Management at ARC, where he headed up the Client Service department and looks after a portfolio of clients. Prior to joining Arc in 2010, Thomas has held a variety of senior client and management roles at TBWA, Tequila London, Proximity London.

 

Michelle Whelan has been Head of Shopper Marketing at Arc since 2010, ensuring Arc is at the forefront of shopper thought leadership, insights mining, excellent creative and evaluation. Michelle is also lead for some key clients. Prior to Arc, Michelle held Client Service Director roles at iris London, OWN&P San Francisco and BBDO Vancouver.

 

Beri Cheetham was appointed as Executive Creative Director of ARC [announced on 22nd October], joining from Billington Cartmell, where he was Group Creative Partner. In his 10 years at Billington Cartmell, the brand activation agency trebled in size.

 

The Arc management team reports into the Leo Burnett Group Exec Committee.

 

Paul Lawson, Deputy CEO Leo Burnett Gorup said of the appointments: “Thomas’ experience in direct marketing and digital, together with Whelan’s background in shopper and retail marketing combine to create a formidable brand activation offering for Arc. We’re really pleased they’ve accepted the roles.”