• by Fern Siegel , September 30, 2024

Leigh Armstrong has been tapped as EVP, global growth and marketing director, for Iris Worldwide.

Prior to her appointment, Armstrong was director of new business development at Cheil and CheilConnec+. She has also worked at JWT, TBWA, Havas and Leo Burnett in the U.K., Europe, Canada and the U.S.

She reports to Jill Smith, CEO of Iris Americas.

Armstrong will lead the global growth team and spearheading initiatives across multiple markets.

Jill Smith, CEO of Iris Americas, said: “Her experience across independent agencies and major networks, combined with her global perspective, will play a key role in shaping our growth strategy and broadening our creative impact.”

Armstrong's appointment follows new business wins for Iris, including Scout Electric Vehicles (VW), Fage Total Greek Yogurts and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). 

She is one of the key leadership announcements at the agency this year. In June, Smith was promoted to CEO of Iris Americas and Eduardo Maruri, former president-CEO of Grey Europe, was named global creative chair of Iris Worldwide.

Ian Millner, co-founder-chair, Iris Worldwide, added: “We need bright, passionate, and radical people to help us break out of the industry’s doom, zoom, and gloom-led race to the bottom. Leigh is someone that clients will like and feel motivated by, and she’ll also help us focus on the potential in the Americas, while joining the dots across the network.”

Iris has 14 offices worldwide, working with brands such as Samsung, adidas, Bentley, Pizza Hut, Beiersdorf and Samsonite.