• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, June 9, 2015

FCB Worldwide, part of Interpublic Group, has hired Susan Credle as global chief creative officer, effective in January 2016. 

Credle, 51, succeeds Jonathan Harries, who has served as FCB’s global CCO since 2006 and who is set to become chairman of the agency upon Credle’s arrival. She will report to agency CEO Carter Murray. The search for Harries' successor began a year ago, about a year after Murray was named CEO at the agency. 

“The moment we met Susan, we both [Murray and Harries] felt that she would be the perfect creative leader, given our ambition of being a true creative/business partner to our clients to help change consumers’ behavior,” said Murray. “Susan is joining a group of talented creative people and her wealth of experience, perspective and leadership style will make us all that much better.” 

Credle was most recently CCO at Leo Burnett USA based in Chicago, which she joined in 2009. Allstate’s “Mayhem” campaign and P&G’s anti-bullying initiative “Mean Stinks” for Secret were among her efforts at Burnett. 

Credle, started her career at BBDO New York as a part time receptionist after graduating from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1985. She quickly rose through the ranks, serving as a copywriter and a creative director before being appointed EVP, executive creative director. During her 24-year tenure at BBDO, she reinvented the iconic M&M’s characters, and created award-winning work for clients including Bank of America, FedEx, Gillette, Lowe’s, PepsiCo, Pizza Hut and Visa. 

Commenting on her appointment Credle said, “I believe what we do in the advertising industry makes a difference. And I have learned that for us to make a difference, three elements must be present. People, place and purpose. These are the three reasons I am now joining FCB as part of the global leadership team.” 

Credle will be one of nine jurors charged with bestowing the inaugural Glass Lion at Cannes this year.