FCB Chicago has appointed Pedro Pérez as its new chief creative officer, following the recent promotion of Andrés Ordóñez to global CCO, and Susan Credle’s transition into a groundbreaking role as the first-ever creative advisor for IPG, as announced last month.
In his new role, Pedro will work closely with FCB Chicago CEO Kelly Graves and FCB Chicago chief strategy officer Mollie Partesotti to lead the network’s largest office. He will also become a key member of FCB’s Global Creative Council, collaborating with creative leaders worldwide to continue elevating the work across the FCB network.
With over two decades of experience, Pedro is a passionate advocate of curiosity, believing that ideas never die and can profoundly impact societies. He has brought his creative philosophy to some of the world’s leading brands, including Bayer, Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel’s, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve), Disney, Mars-Wrigley (ALTOIDS, Extra, ORBIT), and Principal Financial, inspiring them to showcase their uniqueness and strive for creative excellence.
Prior to joining FCB, Pedro served as chief creative officer at Dentsu Creative in Chicago, where he oversaw creative operations and contributed to the strategic execution of global initiatives. During his tenure, Pedro helped launch innovative projects such as “Scrolling Therapy,” an AI tool aiding Parkinson’s patients, and propelled the Chicago office into the Top 10 rankings at Cannes Lions (#6 in the U.S. and #8 in North America). Before his time at Dentsu, Pedro spent three years as Chief Creative Officer for Energy BBDO, where he led the acclaimed “For When It’s Time” campaign for Extra gum, celebrating the world reopening post-pandemic.
Andrés Ordóñez, commenting on the appointment, said, “Pedro’s track record of delivering exceptional creative work that drives brand fame and business growth makes him the ideal creative leader for FCB Chicago.”
FCB Chicago has experienced significant growth over the past year, securing prestigious clients such as Danone, Terminix, and the United States Postal Service, while also expanding business with existing clients like Cox Communications, Prestige, and The Clorox Company. The agency played a pivotal role in IPG being named lead creative partner for Pfizer, one of the industry’s largest reviews of 2023.
Kelly Graves, CEO of FCB Chicago, expressed pride in the agency’s achievements, stating, “As we look to the future, we will continue to develop the incredible creative platforms we have built in partnership with our clients, and I’m confident that Pedro is the right creative leader to take FCB Chicago into its next era of creative excellence.”
Throughout his career, Pedro has amassed over 60 international awards, including a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions, coveted Graphite, Yellow, and Wood Pencils from D&AD, Grand Effies, and numerous Gold, Silver, and Bronze trophies at leading festivals such as The One Show and the Clio Awards. Pedro has been recognized by The Drum as one of the World’s Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers and was featured in Adweek’s Creative 100 in 2019.
Pedro Pérez shared his excitement about joining FCB, stating, “FCB is where it all started for me. While I’m coming back in a more senior role, my sense of curiosity remains the same. I’m excited to immerse myself in the business and inject this inquisitive mindset across the agency to help clients find the new and unexpected, positioning FCB Chicago as the gold standard for how creativity can be a force for growth.”
Pedro was born in Puerto Rico and is proud to be a CCO, husband, and father, though not necessarily in that order.
