Leo Burnett hires creative directors

Leo Burnett has poached Mike McKenna and Greg Martin from Saatchi & Saatchi in a move designed to strengthen its creative department.

The team are joining Leo Burnett as creative directors and will report to Nick Bell and Mark Tutssel, the agency's executive creative directors.

McKenna, a copywriter, and art director Martin worked together for three years at Saatchi. Their Multiple Sclerosis Society won a Media Gold award at last years Cannes advertising festival. They have also produced campaigns for Talk Radio, the Army, and Lexus.

Martin joined Saatchi from Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO three years ago. He had worked for AMV for ten years, where he won awards for work on Alka-Seltzer. McKenna, who has been at Saatchi for five years and won awards for his Nurse Recruitment work, has previously worked at DMB&B and Rainey Kelley Campbell Roalfe.

Bell said: "You soon realise that clients like McDonald's and Heinz want top talent on their business. Mike and Greg are very highly qualified and will be a real asset."

McKenna said: "Leo Burnett's work is very exciting. The likes of Mother produce aggressive, provocative work but Leo Burnett has also been doing it. It's come a long way culturally in the last five years."

This article was first published on Campaign