Barry Burdiak, a veteran of DDB Chicago for nearly 30 years who has won six Cannes Lions is leaving the agency to lead a team in Chicago for data-driven global marketing agency Epsilon. He’ll focus on new business efforts for new and existing clients.

 
“DDB taught me everything I know about advertising: the art of selling work to clients, creative development and growing a strong, focused team,” Burdiak told Adweek.

 
Burdiak joins Epsilon as senior vice president, executive creative director, tasked with leading a team of about five in Epsilon’s Chicago office while reporting directly to chief creative officer John Immesoete.

“Most legacy agencies are creative shops who are now starting to wade down into the data world. Epsilon was, in effect, built from data on up to creative. Because Epsilon got such a big head start, I’ve never seen a shop know so much about the consumer,” Burdiak said. “So, legitimate insights come really easily, which gives creative a more solid, clear target to go and have fun with. Data gives CMOs the confidence to buy the insights our creative is built on. From there, it’s just light the fireworks show and have fun creatively.”

Burdiak first joined DDB Chicago in 1988, most recently serving as senior vice president, group creative director, overseeing clients including Budweiser, State Farm and McDonald’s. In addition to six Cannes Lions, Burdiak is also a three-time Emmy Award nominee and worked on three Super Bowl ads that earned the USA Today Ad Meter’s No. 1 ranking.

He pointed to “leading creative on State Farm (with my partner John Hayes) and literally turning everything around for the brand within months,” as a career highlight.

“We unleashed a pop-culture fireworks show for them with “Jake from State Farm,” “Discount Double Check” and the whole “Get to a Better State” campaign,” he added.