Fizdale Decides Burnett Needs His Creative Touch -- Hands Off Chief Executive Job to Bill Lynch; Agency Bigwigs Deny Rumors of a Rift

CHICAGO – In a move that rocked the ad community and ran somewhat counter to Leo Burnett’s usual seamless transitions of the past, chairman Rick Fizdale last week relinquished his ceo title to agency president Bill Lynch last week – 14 months after being named chairman, ceo and chief creative officer.
Although Fizdale said no single event or client pushed him into making the choice, his commitment to creative troubleshooting, rather than account-side management, may have played a major role in his decision.