Burnett in rejig as Paul Shearer exits.(Leo Burnett Company Inc.)(Brief Article)

Paul Shearer, the joint executive creative director at Leo Burnett, is quitting the agency without a job to go to. The decision leaves his partner, Jim Thornton, in sole charge of the creative department.

The departure is a blow to the agency, which, following its acquisition by the Publicis Groupe and subsequent merger with D'Arcy, was relaunched a year ago under its new group chief executive, Bruce Haines.

Haines said: 'Paul and Jim have worked hard to build a working relationship that was right for the two of them, for the agency and for our clients.

'Unfortunately, after a period of six months, Paul has decided that working as a double act is not for him. Paul is an outstanding creative talent and we will miss his contribution. I am sure that he is destined for great things in the future.'

The appointment of the creative duo last May was seen as something of a coup and the pair were heralded as the talent to lead the return of Leo Burnett to its former creative glory.

The pair were appointed to replace Nick Bell, who left to join J. Walter Thompson last February. Burnett poached Shearer from Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam, while Thornton joined the agency from Mother.

Thornton will continue to head the creative department, working ...