Mawhinney announced that he was leaving Leo Burnett, where he was one of two creative directors, at the tail end of last month, telling the press at the time that a restructure at the firm had created “not the most stable environment.”

His chief responsibility at the London-based giant was the firm’s Kellogg’s business.

Prior to Leo Burnett, which he joined in 2005, Mawhinny has enjoyed high-profile tenures at JWT, BBH, CDP, Still Price Lintas, Ogilvy & Mather and Faulds. He has also served on the D&AD executive committee since 1987.

In the new role Mawhinney will fill a position that, according to fellow BJL board director Charlotte Thompson, has lain vacant for the past three years.

That would appear to be an overall, or executive, creative director role, with BJL’s current creative group heads, such as Marcus Leigh (also a board member), reporting directly to him.

The (current) BJL board

In a statement released by the agency Mawhinney was quoted as saying: “Choosing BJL wasn’t difficult. 

“They have great clients, a talented senior team and plenty of ambition.  We share the same outlook and value great insight and ideas.  They invest in young creative and planning talent which impressed me, and the fact that they have control over their destiny appeals to me. “

Agency MD Nicky Unsworth added:  “We are thrilled to have Billy on the team.  He shares our love of advertising and from the minute we started talking we knew his enthusiasm and approachable style would make him a great cultural fit.

“We have a very senior and recognised creative department and we needed a leader who would inspire them and earn their respect.  We’ve got all that and more in Billy.”

www.bjl.co.uk

Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!