Leo, DDB Execs Rally Troops

A little more than halfway through a difficult year, executives at two of Chicago’s largest shops, DDB and Leo Burnett, held agencywide meetings last week to rally their troops.

A sluggish new-business environment and layoffs that have struck both shops have been tough on employees’ morale. Bob Scarpelli, addressing his entire staff for the first time since taking over as DDB Chicago’s chairman in June, didn’t duck those issues.

“The losses of General Mills and Energizer e2 coupled with the cutbacks many of our other clients made forced us to do some very difficult things and say goodbye to some good people and good friends,” Scarpelli said.