Orientation and Launch

SELP Orientation and Launch

Orientation

The SELP Orientation will take you through the program structure and will provide you with the program materials required for the workshops and team projects.

Launch

SELP 2012 was launched by Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, UWS Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education). Todd Sampson, CEO of Leo Burnett was our engaging SELP presenter for the evening.

Todd Sampson
CEO, Leo Burnett

The rich and varied life of advertising executive Todd Sampson began on Cape Breton Island, off the north east coast of Canada. Todd is now the CEO of Leo Burnett, one of Australia’s top creative advertising agencies and is one of the few CEOs in advertising to come from a strategy background - having spent 10 years as Head of Strategy.

Todd is also the breakout star of the hit ABC television show The Gruen Transfer and features regularly on channels Ten’s 7pm Project. 

He is the co-creator of the Earth Hour initiative, which has been recognised as one the best ideas in the world and awarded the Yahoo Chair for Innovation. In 2009, 1 billion people participated in Earth Hour making it the biggest environment movement in history.

In 2008 Todd won the coveted Titanium Lion at Cannes and B&T's Creative Campaign of the Year in Australia. Amongst his other awards he has also been ranked as the most influential advertising executive in Australia by the Financial Review, the most influential men under 45 by Men’s Style, and was nominated for GQ Man of the Year.

He grew up in modest circumstances. His father was a factory worker for Coca-Cola and his mother a checkout girl for KFC. Todd entered university at 16 on a full scholarship and by age 24 had completed an MBA. Todd came to Australia 11 years ago, following a circuitous route that included North America, Germany and South Africa. He is now a proud Australian living with his family in Bondi.

Outside of that he enjoys mountain climbing, and has completed an unguided ascent to the top of Mount Everest.