• October 1, 2003

Robert Brennan, one of the rare agency media executive to rise to the top management position of a major brand agency, is stepping down as president of Leo Burnett Worldwide, the agency announced Wednesday. Brennan a 21-year veteran of Burnett, previously was COO of Starcom Worldwide, a unit that he, Starcom chief Jack Klues and a few other senior media managers formed. He also was a key player in the restructuring of the Starcom MediaVest Group, following Burnett's acquisition by Publicis. Brennan also was something of a poster child for media executives, only a handful of who have helmed a major full-service agency. Burnett Chairman-CEO Linda Wolf will temporarily assume Brennan's duties for North America, including the U.S. agency's flagship office, Leo Burnett USA.