DigitasLBi Boston/Detroit will begin looking for a new creative leader as EVP/ECD Rob Rizzo departs at the end of the month.
A memo sent to staff from North American CEO Tony Weisman today confirms that Rizzo is leaving and lays out basic plans for determining his successor, but does not elaborate on the reasons for his departure or his next steps.
Rizzo has held copywriter and creative director positions at various agencies throughout his career including Hill Holliday and Epsilon. After serving as VP and group creative director at Digitas, he became EVP/ECD in 2010 when Heath Rudduck departed; the latter then spent nearly four years as CCO at Campbell Mithun and most recently landed the same position at PR-focused Minneapolis agency PadillaCRT.
In August, DigitasLBi named Patrick McHugh to the SVP/GCD role in Detroit reporting directly to Rizzo and partnering with North American CCO Ronald Ng, who left his position at BBDO Proximity Singapore in January. Weisman indicates that McHugh will not replace Rizzo but that the agency will seek another creative leader for its Detroit and Boston offices.
Here’s the full memo.
Rob Rizzo is leaving DigitasLBi Boston as Creative lead
-Led the region to great work and subsequent awards including: 2 Cannes Lions, 2 Clios, 2 Effies, 4 OMMAs, 6 Webby’s, 6 IAB Mixx’s, 3 FWAs, and 27 AdClub Hatch honors.
-Creator of the Boston-Detroit region’s annual Arch Street Awards, affectionately known as “The Archies”.
-Gave us 17 years of heart, brains and creative instinct, championing the power of creativity both inside and outside our halls.
That’s Riz— one of our agency’s more prolific, passionate and prominent creative forces and leader— who will be leaving us to pursue his next and new professional chapter.
His work. His character. His commitment to culture and people. All stand tall and speak for themselves. I can only add, “Thank you, Rob”, for all your memorable contributions and talent leadership over the years. You leave DigitasLBi stronger.
Rob will be with us through October 31st finishing up any outstanding work and managing a transition. I am working with Rob and Boston-Detroit creative leadership on an interim backfill plan, while actively searching for an ECD for the Boston-Detroit region. The very good news is that with our strong and collaborative creative team, our work, our culture and our client-creative engagements move forward…strong, brilliant and badass.
– Tony Weisman