Topic: To Create is Human; To Lead is Divine.
Most of us are here because we are drawn to creative thinking. Problem solving. Making something out of nothing. And we want to be the best creatives we can be. The better work we create for brands and businesses the more likely we are to get promoted into leadership positions. Are we as prepared to lead as we are to create? Let’s start figuring out the answer to that question.
About Susan:
Susan Credle is a creative powerhouse with a strong moral compass that drives her quest to infuse the industry with diversity. As the first female chairperson of The One Club for Creativity, Susan champions rising creative talent and advocates for industry inclusion in the workplace, the workforce and the work.
Prior to joining FCB, Susan spent 24 years at BBDO and held the post of CCO of Leo Burnett USA from 2009 through 2015. Upon arriving at FCB in 2016, she reignited the network by pushing to create the agency’s best work on the biggest brands. At Cannes Lions 2020/2021, she served as president of the prestigious Titanium Jury at the Festival. That year, FCB went on to win Global Network of the Year at Cannes, a first for the agency founded in 1873.
Susan believes creativity is an economic multiplier for businesses and brands. She is known for her work establishing the M&M’S “spokescandies” as icons in global pop culture. She managed the creative side of the brand from 1995 until 2009. In 2000, she was part of the creative team that landed the Cingular Wireless account and helped steer the brand to iconic status in the wireless category. When Cingular was fully acquired by AT&T in 2007, Susan was again tapped to lead the creative direction for the entire AT&T brand. Throughout her tenure at BBDO, she created award-winning work for other iconic brands including Pepsi, FedEx, Bank of America, Lowes, Pizza Hut and Visa. In 2010 at Leo Burnett, she and the Allstate team launched the Mayhem campaign that still runs today. At FCB, she is focused on building the FCB brand and business with talented people around the world.
Susan was inducted into the AAF Hall of Achievement in 2004. In 2008, she was the first recipient of the Next Generation Leadership Award at the UNC School of Media and Journalism, and in 2014, she was inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame. In 2013, she was named CAF’s Chicago Ad Woman of the Year. Susan was also a Matrix Awards honoree in 2017.
Currently, she sits on the boards of The Carolina Performing Arts at UNC, Stonewood Farm, The Reisenbach Foundation and The One Club for Creativity. For over a decade, Susan has served as a Chair of Ad Council’s Campaign Review Committees program, and she is currently serving as Vice Chair of the 2024 AAF Advertising Hall of Fame Executive Committee.
From ‘To Create is Human; To Lead is Divine’ Talk:
• There's no one-size-fits-all leadership style. By understanding our individual styles, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as those of our team members, we can adapt to the style best suited for the person and situation.
• Always show up with intention.
• As we rise in our careers, we continue to nurture our creativity, honing our skills. But when we ascend to leadership roles, are we as equipped to lead as we are to create?
Most of us are here because we are drawn to creative thinking. Problem solving. Making something out of nothing. And we want to be the best creatives we can be. The better work we create for brands and businesses the more likely we are to get promoted into leadership positions. Are we as prepared to lead as we are to create? Let’s start figuring out the answer to that question.
Susan Credle is a creative powerhouse with a strong moral compass that drives her quest to infuse the industry with diversity. As the first female chairperson of The One Club for Creativity, Susan champions rising creative talent and advocates for industry inclusion in the workplace, the workforce and the work.
Prior to joining FCB, Susan spent 24 years at BBDO and held the post of CCO of Leo Burnett USA from 2009 through 2015. Upon arriving at FCB in 2016, she reignited the network by pushing to create the agency’s best work on the biggest brands. At Cannes Lions 2020/2021, she served as president of the prestigious Titanium Jury at the Festival. That year, FCB went on to win Global Network of the Year at Cannes, a first for the agency founded in 1873.
Susan believes creativity is an economic multiplier for businesses and brands. She is known for her work establishing the M&M’S “spokescandies” as icons in global pop culture. She managed the creative side of the brand from 1995 until 2009. In 2000, she was part of the creative team that landed the Cingular Wireless account and helped steer the brand to iconic status in the wireless category. When Cingular was fully acquired by AT&T in 2007, Susan was again tapped to lead the creative direction for the entire AT&T brand. Throughout her tenure at BBDO, she created award-winning work for other iconic brands including Pepsi, FedEx, Bank of America, Lowes, Pizza Hut and Visa. In 2010 at Leo Burnett, she and the Allstate team launched the Mayhem campaign that still runs today. At FCB, she is focused on building the FCB brand and business with talented people around the world.
Susan was inducted into the AAF Hall of Achievement in 2004. In 2008, she was the first recipient of the Next Generation Leadership Award at the UNC School of Media and Journalism, and in 2014, she was inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame. In 2013, she was named CAF’s Chicago Ad Woman of the Year. Susan was also a Matrix Awards honoree in 2017.
Currently, she sits on the boards of The Carolina Performing Arts at UNC, Stonewood Farm, The Reisenbach Foundation and The One Club for Creativity. For over a decade, Susan has served as a Chair of Ad Council’s Campaign Review Committees program, and she is currently serving as Vice Chair of the 2024 AAF Advertising Hall of Fame Executive Committee.
• There's no one-size-fits-all leadership style. By understanding our individual styles, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as those of our team members, we can adapt to the style best suited for the person and situation.
• Always show up with intention.
• As we rise in our careers, we continue to nurture our creativity, honing our skills. But when we ascend to leadership roles, are we as equipped to lead as we are to create?