Leo Burnett Sydney celebrates front of house icon Susie Henry’s 35th year with the agency
Leo Burnett Sydney’s front of house, Susie Henry, celebrated 35 years with the agency in February this year. In recognition of her outstanding tenure, a few talented Burnetters (both past and present) created a short film, ‘Don’t Be Ridiculous’, to celebrate her unique story.
Henry joined Leo Burnett in 1985 and, over the years, was the personal assistant to the CEO, the chairman and the CFO, before taking on the significant role of front of house, which she has been doing in style for the past 11 years.
Says Melinda Geertz, CEO of Leo Burnett Australia: “I’ve known Susie since the day I arrived in Australia, and she’s truly one-of-a-kind. Susie is passionate, insightful, loyal, kind and wildly creative – she’s synonymous with Leo Burnett.
“It’s an unusual time, and it felt right to share this joyful celebration of Susie’s career as she’s had such an immense impact on all who have come to know her over the years.”
Henry is very much looking forward to returning to work to be with her Leo’s family as soon as possible.
A Short Film by Gotham Pillai and Tommy Thoms
Produced by Lucy Appleyard
Directed, Shot and Edited by Tommy Thoms
Colour Grade by Scott Stirling
Titles by John-Henry Pajak
37 Comments
This is nice but isn’t it also a shame you can’t expect to have this longevity at Leo’s, or any other agency, as an actual creative. Questions of job-hopping aside, everyone else is forced to move on after a certain age, across genders (though one does have it worse of course)
@Older AD Guy,
You sound like you need a drink with the beautiful Susie.
Here you go, dial these digits – 02 9925 3555 and she’ll put a little smile on your dial.
… you got three words out before “but”. Why not just let this post be about this legend rather than using it as a platform to moan?
Never worked at Leo’s, not sure I’ve even heard of Susie before, but what a legend. This brightened up my day massively.
Absolutely love this…
This is excellent.
Belated congratulations Susie! What a wonderful person and woman you are and you are nothing like strange, just fabulous, and absolutely nothing wrong with that 🙂
To that comment above, this article isn’t about those things. It’s about celebrating an amazing achievement by Susie.
I’ve never met her, but she looks like an absolute legend. And would love to have a drink with her one day!
Congrats!
I enjoyed this! Well done Tommy and everyone involved.
Thank you ….I remember now, that this is a great career. Too easy to forget.
Susie was always the best part of my numerous visits to Leo’s. Sitting in reception waiting and chatting to Susie and having a laugh, listening to her tell stories and seeing how she interacted with everyone who walked through the door was always a JOY. Congratulations Suzie! XXX
congratulations! Always brings a smile to my dial
I would love to be as cool as Susie when I’m older. Absolute words to live by all the way through. What a legend.
Kudos to all involved. What a wonderful story.
This brought such a huge smile to my face. I thought I’d just watch just a minute or so – but immediately I was hooked on Susie’s outlook from the get go and watched it all.
What a great celebration piece – and what brilliant individual!
Congratulations on a 35 year young career Susie.
Big ups to all those who contributed to make this wonderful video. Nice one!
Never met her but what a fun gal! Still fully functioning, I’d imagine.
If only creative departments were filled with Susies, rather than dick-joke private school boys.
Never met Susie but she’s awesome
Loving the wall paintings
Loved this, what a complete legend. Exactly the kind of sunshine we all need at the moment. Put a smile on my face.
Love it. People like Susie are why I love this industry.
Love this woman! A beautiful, smart, charismatic gem. But let’s get over our bloody ageism in this industry and acknowledge that people with experience are needed in every department. It’s the last true ism people. And yes I am female creative.
Love this. And love that Leo’s sees the value of characters Year after year there would be financial pressures to cut people. But agency characheter isn’t created by characters.
Gorgeous! Beyond gorgeous – and what an achievement – huge respect and big smiles Suzie!
She is just soooo awesome!! Love her!!
What a lovely bunch of comments – and the majority don’t even know Susie! She is the funniest, kindest, most lovable human being. Once met – never forgotten.
Can we please have more characters like Susie rather than those chosen according to criteria set by bloody HR departments.Positive individuals who genuinely love our industry and know how to have a bit of fun.
Thanks Leo Burnett and of course thank you Susy.
No matter how hard you try you’ll never be able to give less f*cks than Susie.
What a dead set legend.
*Quits job and wants to work at Leo’s immediately ….
The indomitable, indefatigable, threw-the-mould-away-after -casting “Auntie Mame” Suzie Henry!
More than 5-minutes of fame here, and thoroughly earned, even though not asked for. Not that this dame is shy.
Much love
Phil
This says a lot about LB as an agency.And I really like them for it.
Having worked there i can safely say Susie is the most amazing human in that building. never a dull moment
10 years I’ve been in Sydney and I only went into Leos once. I still remember Susie. I was waiting just five mins in reception and I thought she was brilliant. Well done. You’ve made an impact on so many, and that is all any of us ever want to do in this industry.
You did it just being you.
What a wonderful lady. Worked there on and off for 13 years, and she was always wonderful. Many congratulations.
This is great, Susie seems like a total legend. Well done Leo’s for celebrating her. Also nicely crafted for all the right reasons.
Hi Suzie
My warmest congratulations on your 35th anniversary with Leo Burnett! You have been a true inspiration and the Director of first impressions for that whole time and clearly so loved and adored by so many people. Whether at Ceo level or junior staff your pride of place is clearly is so superb that the video they made is testimony of how precious you are to all who have crossed paths with you! I resonate with you so much! I never fitted into a mould and have walked along a similar path like you being natural, honest and there for the people of Australia! I remember how caring you were once I was trying to market top talent , you were just magic! Love your spirit and unconditional loving personality just like everyone else ♥️Wishing you a fantastic celebration of your 35 years with Leo Burnett ! Love Jenet Cennet Depke
Was soooo lucky to have met and worked with Susie when I first arrived in 79. First job in Oz, first job in advertising. Suze took me under her wing and showed me the ropes … & wines & parties …. Still friends and I love her to bits.
Such a lovely woman! I adore this and it is so old school Burnett! Thank you for this charming story!
I posted a contrary view to the above . Obviously the Editor is a mate ?