Chris Chiu takes a step back from Leo Burnett Singapore

John Kyriakou, chief executive officer of Leo Burnett Singapore, will be taking on the additional role of chief creative officer to help fill the gap left by the 11-year Leo Burnett veteran.

He notes that the parting is an amicable one. “With Chris, we have talked about his need for some time and have happily come to a way that suits us both," Kyriakou said. "I have known Chris for well over 20 years since the day I gave him his first opportunity in the industry. He has done extraordinarily well, and has contributed significantly to the creative development and successes to the agencies he has worked at, including Leo Burnett Singapore where he led the team over the past five years."

The creative leadership at Leo Burnett Singapore will continue "with minimal impact" on the day to day operations of the agency, Kyriakou said. "Concurrently, we are also shortlisting world-class candidates for the full time role of chief creative officer to lead the office in the long run.”

Chiu has worked with the Leo Burnett network, across its Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore agencies, for 11 years. He says it has provided him with an "amazing" experience in that time. "Nonetheless, after doing this for some 20-plus years, there is only one thing left that I've been itching to do and that's to start something on my own," he said. "In the meanwhile, I will continue to assist Leo Burnett as much as necessary wherever and whenever I can."