Leo Burnett UK Appoints Award-Winning Strategist Ila De Mello Kamath as Planning Partner

Leo Burnett UK has strengthened its senior strategy team with the appointment of Ila De Mello Kamath as planning partner. Under the leadership of CSO Josh Bullmore and deputy CSO Tom Sussman, Ila will take charge of the strategy for Vodafone, leveraging her extensive expertise in brand building and cultural impact. 

Ila joins from Ogilvy, where she was global strategy partner for Dove. During her four-year tenure at the agency, she played an instrumental role in driving the brand’s global conversation around toxic beauty. Notably, she was the strategic force behind the ‘Reverse Selfie’ campaign, which addressed the adverse effects of selfie culture on young women and earned multiple industry accolades including Cannes Gold, Effie Gold and an IPA Effectiveness award. 

Prior to Ogilvy, Ila served as board strategy director at AMV BBDO, where she emerged as one of the UK’s most awarded planners. She led the strategic development for high-profile brands, including Guinness, the Met Police, UNICEF, and Twining’s. Her work on the Met Police’s 'Who Killed Deon' campaign, which powerfully tackled youth violence, garnered three Gold IPA awards and was recognised as the most-awarded video of 2011.

Ila’s career has also included head of strategy roles at Brothers & Sisters and The Good Agency, where she not only spearheaded strategic planning for major clients but also played a pivotal role in the mentoring and development of her teams. 

Ila De Mello Kamath, planning partner, Leo Burnett UK, said, “Joining Leo Burnett UK is an exciting opportunity to work with a team that truly values the power of populist creativity. My career has been shaped by a commitment to crafting strategies that not only build brands but also resonate deeply with people and culture. I’m eager to bring my experience to Leo Burnett and help create work that inspires and makes a positive impact on the world.”

Tom Sussman, deputy chief strategy officer, Leo Burnett UK, added, "We are beyond excited to welcome Ila to the team. Her track record speaks for itself - not just in terms of awards but in her ability to develop strategies that connect brands with the issues people really care about. We can’t wait to get her started.” 

The appointment follows an exciting period of growth for Leo Burnett UK’s strategy department, which also welcomed planning directors, Rebecca Priest and Ipeknaz Erel, into the fold earlier this year.