Our Singapore correspondent tells us there’s drama over at Leo Burnett Asia-Pacific writing, “Linda Locke, the award winning Regional Creative Director and so-called ‘Dragon Lady’ of Leo Burnett Asia-Pacific has been ousted from her perch high atop the network’s creative ladder. Based in Singapore, Locke has been with Leo Burnett for nearly a decade – first as the ECD of the network’s Singapore office after which she was vaulted to Chairman Executive Creative Director. Locke added the Regional CD title to her card shortly thereafter.
Her dethroning comes as a shock to many industry professionals in Singapore where she has become legendary for her domineering ways. As one local Singapore based creative put it; ‘People are simply not used to seeing Linda on the losing end of things.’ Or, as another Asian ad-industry insider put it; ‘the bitch finally got bitch slapped.’ [Ed. We just love quotes like this, real or made up.]
Many of advertising’s top creative talents including Ted Royer, CD at newly founded Droga5, Curt Detweiler, CD at TBWACHIATDAY Los Angeles and Rowan Chanen, CD YR Brands Asia, have worked under Locke in some capacity. Detweiler is no shrinking violet and Royer is anything but a wallflower. If their current roles are what one can look forward to after a tour under Locke, she’s definitely a star maker. Also note; Locke is the ex-wife of legendary Singapore based adman, Neil French, so, suffice it to say, she’s no stranger to big personalities. But the question remains, is her personality big enough to bounce back from her recent fall from grace?”
Well if she’s touched Neil French and he can survive the lashing he took regarding his comments about women in advertising, we think Linda will do just fine. It’s rumored she may retyurn to the States and open a shop in San Francisco
