Liz Taylor from Ogilvy joins Susan Credle in FCB’s female-friendly creative echelons

vFCB CEO Carter Murray seems to be happily waging a diversity battle all of his own, luring Liz Taylor from Ogilvy Chicago to be CCO of FCB’s huge Chicago office. Taylor (left) replaces Todd Tilford, who’s staying with the agency, and joins FCB global CCO Susan Credle at the top of the Interpublic-owned agency.

Tilford, whose reign has divided opinion, will “work on select clients in Chicago and partner on key initiatives focusing on creative content and design with global chief creative Officer Susan Credle” according to the agency.

FCB Chicago CEO Michael Fassnacht says: “We are excited to welcome Liz, whose relentless drive for creative excellence will help push our clients’ brands and businesses even further. Her commitment to strong collaboration across all of the diverse disciplines within FCB Chicago will be key as we continue to elevate our work across all channels and platforms.”

Taylor, who has worked in senior roles at a number of Chicago agencies, has no doubt been hired on merit but Murray is smart enough to realise that another senior female creative director near the top of the agency will play well when women’s creative roles in advertising, or lack of them, have made the headlines in the wake of the Kevin Roberts farrago.

Taylor says: “Carter Murray, Susan Credle and Michael Fassnacht all want to invigorate the FCB brand, and there’s a great deal of momentum happening with major client wins, new-business opportunities, and the best Cannes performance in agency’s history. I cannot wait to help drive the creative vision for this office and am looking forward to championing brilliant ideas and mentoring the next generation of FCB Chicago’s creative leaders.”