JWT lures Bell for top creative post.(J. Walter Thompson, Nick Bell)

J. Walter Thompson is in the final stages of negotiations with Nick Bell, currently the executive creative director at Leo Burnett, to fill the vacant creative director's position at its London office.

No contracts had been signed as Campaign went to press but an announcement is expected shortly. Commenting on Bell's move, Peter Cowie, the business development director at JWT, said: 'We're in the final stages of negotiations to sign him up. We've been speaking to a number of talented creative directors and Nick is at the top of that list.'

The news marks the second time Bell, 42, has been linked with a high-profile job outside Leo Burnett. In 2001, he was approached about taking Charles Inge's former role at the then Lowe Lintas, but at the 11th hour decided to stay put (Campaign, 6 July 2001).

JWT has been trawling for a creative director since December when it revealed that the incumbent of nine years, Jaspar Shelbourne, was being promoted to a worldwide role (Campaign, 13 December 2002).

Bell joined Leo Burnett in 1995 from Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO. Together with his former partner and joint executive creative director, Mark Tutssel, he has been responsible for improving the agency's creative reputation.

One major high point was winning three gold Lions at Cannes in 2001.

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