BBDO: The Craft of Creative Excellence.

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AMV BBDO Appoints Ben Jaffé as Deputy CSO and Owen Lee as Creative President

AMV BBDO has announced two key appointments following Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG and the subsequent merger of FCB London into its agency.

Ben Jaffé, formerly Chief Strategy Officer at FCB London, assumes the role of Deputy Chief Strategy Officer. Owen Lee, previously Chief Creative Officer at FCB London, steps into the position of Creative President.

Jaffé will report to AMV BBDO’s CSO, Jo Arden, while Lee will report to the agency’s Chief Creative Officers, Nadja Lossgott and Nick Hulley.

The moves are part of the integration following last December’s announcement that IPG agencies FCB London and MullenLowe UK would merge into AMV BBDO. In their prior roles, Jaffé and Lee were instrumental in crafting campaigns for major FCB London clients including Andrex, Škoda, Intuit QuickBooks, the Home Office, and Think!

Notably, they spearheaded the Andrex “Get Comfortable” platform, which has addressed bathroom taboos in settings from the workplace to schools.

FCB London and AMV BBDO Leadership Changes
Jaffé began his tenure at FCB London (then FCB Inferno) in 2012 as lead strategist. He rose to strategy director in 2014, was promoted to head of strategy in 2016, and became Chief Strategy Officer in 2021. His previous experience includes roles at Amsterdam Worldwide and Story Worldwide.

Lee also joined FCB London in 2012 as executive creative director when it was FCB Inferno, and was promoted to Chief Creative Officer in 2015. He has previously worked at Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury and Partners.

At AMV BBDO, Xavier Rees continues as group chief executive, while FCB London's CEO, Katy Wright, transitions to chief client officer. The creative department is led by Lossgot and Hulley, with Arden continuing as CSO. Andrew Robertson remains as BBDO chairman, and Jemima Monies continues as group chief growth officer.

BBDO Worldwide: The Creative Force Behind Iconic Advertising

BBDO is one of the world's largest and most influential advertising agency networks.

For decades, it has been the creative engine behind some of the most memorable and effective marketing campaigns, shaping brand identities and popular culture.

This page explores what BBDO stands for, highlights its famous work, identifies its parent company, and lists some of its biggest global clients.

What Does BBDO Stand For?

BBDO is an acronym for Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn. The agency was formed in 1928 through the merger of the George Batten Company with the agency Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BDO). This merger created the foundation for the global network known today.

A Brief History and Structure

Founded in 1928, BBDO has grown into a network of 289 offices in 81 countries, employing approximately 15,000 people. It is a full-service marketing communications network and operates as a subsidiary under a larger global holding company (detailed below). BBDO is known for its "The Work. The Work. The Work" mantra, emphasizing a relentless focus on creative output and effectiveness.

Some Famous BBDO Campaigns

BBDO's creative legacy is built on a vast portfolio of award-winning and culturally significant campaigns. A few notable examples include:

"Ring around the collar" for Wisk detergent: A classic 1960s campaign that became a ubiquitous cultural reference.
"Have it your way" for Burger King: This 1973 campaign and its catchy jingle empowered consumer choice and became a lasting brand slogan.
"Come alive! You're in the Pepsi Generation": A seminal 1963 campaign that shifted advertising focus from product attributes to consumer lifestyle and identity.
Snickers "You're Not You When You're Hungry": This long-running platform included the famous 2010 Super Bowl ad featuring Betty White, which won USA Today's Ad Meter poll.
"It's everywhere you want to be" for Visa: A slogan introduced by BBDO in 1985 that defined the credit card's brand for a generation.

These campaigns exemplify BBDO's ability to create simple, sticky, and highly effective creative work for a diverse range of products.

What company owns BBDO?

BBDO Worldwide is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Omnicom Group Inc., one of the world's largest advertising and marketing holding companies. Omnicom was formed in 1986 from the merger of BBDO and DDB Needham. As part of Omnicom's portfolio, BBDO operates alongside other major agency networks like DDB and TBWA.

Who Are BBDO's Biggest Customers?

BBDO's client roster includes many of the world's most prominent corporations. Its major accounts span technology, telecommunications, consumer packaged goods, retail, and finance. According to industry reports, some of BBDO's most significant clients have included:

AT&T
Bacardi
FedEx
The Home Depot
Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp)
Mars Inc.

These brands represent multi-million dollar partnerships where BBDO provides creative strategy, campaign development, and integrated marketing services. The client list is dynamic, with accounts being won and concluded as part of the normal agency business cycle.

Conclusion

From its origins as Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn to its current status as a cornerstone of the Omnicom Group, BBDO has maintained a reputation for creativity and effectiveness for nearly a century. Its history is written in the iconic slogans and campaigns that have resonated with generations of consumers. By serving global giants like AT&T, FedEx, and Mars, BBDO continues to play a central role in shaping how the world's biggest brands communicate and connect with their audiences.