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CEO - Leo Burnett

Todd Sampson is the CEO of Leo Burnett, one of Australia's top creative advertising agencies and the break-out star of ABC's hit TV show The Gruen Transfer.

Todd was ranked as the most influential advertising executive in Australia by the Australian Financial Review, listed in the most influential men under 45 by Men's Style and was nominated for GQ Man of the Year.

Poised, articulate and humorous, Todd Sampson is an engaging speaker who is highly sought after for his insights surrounding creativity, advertising, marketing, management, leadership and personal achievement.

About Todd Sampson:

Todd Sampson is one of the few CEO's in Australia to come from a strategic background. He has been a Managing Partner and Head of Strategy for over 10 years and during that time has helped lead some of the most successful and creative agencies in the world.

Todd is also one of the most awarded strategists behind some of Australia's highest profile work. He is the co-creator of the Earth Hour initiative, which has been recognised as one the best ideas in the world. The campaign won the Titanium Lion at Cannes, was awarded the Yahoo Chair for Innovation and B&T's Creative Campaign of the Year in Australia. In 2009, Earth Hour was the biggest environmental movement in history with over a 1 billion people participating in over 4000 cities around the world.

Outside of work, Todd enjoys mountain climbing. After roughly two months, eight trips through the ice fall, over a dozen snow storms, two attempts on the summit, snow blindness, near starvation, falling into a crevasse, two avalanches, three deaths and losing 15 kg, he managed to complete his unguided ascent to the top of Mount Everest.

Todd Sampson talks about:

  • Achieving innovation and creativity in the workplace
  • How Earth Hour was established and how it has been developed
  • Achieving strong and inspirational leadership
  • Harnessing the ambitions and maximising the potential of Gen Y
  • Achieving Everest

Client testimonials

Wow, Wednesday night really kicked the group into a place they needed. I have had people tell me your presentation was the best thing they have ever seen and heard in their working lives. Today I am still getting feedback and many actually are thinking of following through on your concepts. We will definitely be keen to get you again next year to stir them up again, hopefully you won't have to kiss anyone next time!

IDP Education Australia

Since 2005, we have been running a bi-annual speaker event with some of the top speakers in Australia and Todd's feedback from the students is the most positive so far. Todd is an engaging and well-prepared speaker who builds instant and effective rapport with his audience. Not only was he a fantastic speaker but he was also a friendly and relaxed guest. We could not have been more pleased with Todd as a keynote speaker. His ability to blend captivating stories, humour and honest advice about leadership, creativity and life challenges was refreshing and really spoke to our audience. I would recommend Todd as a speaker to anyone. Many, many thanks!

Macquarie University

Todd was excellent, such a lovely guy. His message was very powerful and he really validates it by his own example in his personal and work life. It was really great of him to stick around after the event and speak to the queue of people who patiently waited for his attention. He is a very warm and compassionate person, and his intelligence and sense of humour was evident throughout his presentation.

Hume Council