Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett becomes Leo Burnett Switzerland

Since its founding on July 1, 2002, SFLB has been part of Leo Burnett Worldwide. Since February 4, the second largest agency in Switzerland is now called Leo Burnett Switzerland. At the same time as the name change, the former owners Martin Spillmann and Peter Felser are retiring one and a half years after handing over to the new management generation (the advertising week reported) also resigned from the Board of Directors. They are handing over full responsibility to the agency management: Andy Stäheli (CEO), Michael Gassler (Managing Director) and Rolf Zimmermann (Managing Director), Johannes Raggio (Executive Creative Director) as well as Peter Brönnimann (Executive Creative Director), who last week was appointed to the Advertiser of the year 2013 was chosen. Martin Spillmann will continue to support the agency in his role as Executive Creative Director Continental Western Europe will continue to accompany us in the future.

CEO Andy Stäheli on the name change:

WW: Andy Stäheli, you have already informed the agency's customers about the name change. How have they reacted to this?
Andy Stäheli: We were able to inform a large number of our customers personally during our 10th anniversary celebration. They sense that the agency will continue to be characterized by personal and good relationships under the new name Leo Burnett Switzerland. I am very pleased that the reactions were consistently positive and that we enjoy such great trust.

SFLB has developed into a strong brand over the past ten years. You don't give up an established brand so easily. How do you ensure that the value is not lost?
Leo Burnett has been an important part of our agency since its inception, part of our identity and part of our name. Moreover, Leo Burnett is one of the world's top 3 agency groups in terms of creativity - which fits perfectly with our ambitions. There is no denying that Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett has been a very strong name in the Swiss communications landscape. We are doing everything we can to transfer what has been achieved to the new brand and also to fill it with new content. 

What does the new look look like?
In the future, the Leo Burnett "pencil", which is used worldwide, will characterize our appearance. I personally like this very much because a pencil is precisely the tool that makes an idea visible for the first time. The addition of Switzerland creates identity for us and is an expression of our roots.

What are your goals until the end of 2013?

We want to continue building the foundation with our mission and convince with strong ideas. Creativity, popularity, effectiveness and new internationality are the strategic pillars of the future agency orientation. With a lot of pride we already look after some brands that we are allowed to accompany internationally, such as ABB, Emmentaler, Ovomaltine, Switzerland Tourism and Victorinox. We want to win additional clients from this segment for us and offer them expertise in all their markets as a lead agency.

Leo Burnett Switzerland is now available on Leoburnett.ch reachable.

About Leo Burnett Switzerland
Leo Burnett Switzerland has grown steadily since its founding and generates gross operating revenues of CHF 20.4 million (2011) with 90 employees. According to the bsw ranking, it is the second largest agency in Switzerland. In terms of creativity, Leo Burnett Switzerland leads the current creative ranking (PDF) - at both national and international awards. It also won the most awards at the Swiss Effie - the award for efficient communication - in 2012. Clients include brands such as ABB, Beldona, Bio-Suisse, Butter, Chocolat Frey, Die Post, Emmentaler, Fleurop, Cantonal Banks, Migros, Switzerland Tourism, Sanitas, SRF, Suva, Swiss Life, Victorinox and Volvo.