Creative Director Warren Exits DDB in Chicago

CHICAGO Vinny Warren, one of the creatives behind DDB's Cannes Grand Prix-winning "Whassup?" advertising campaign for Anheuser-Busch, has left the agency.

"I basically felt I needed to hit the reset button," Warren said. "I've had a great run at DDB, but I felt I was in danger of becoming institutionalized."

Warren was most recently a creative director working on the agency's OfficeMax account, and was one of the creatives behind the client's Schooled reality television program that aired on ABC Family in August.

Warren had spent seven years at the Omnicom Group agency. Warren was the copywriter on Anheuser-Busch's "Whassup?" campaign, which won the Grand Prix in 2000.

The Chicago agency's creative department has been undergoing change this year. Michael Folino, who joined the agency as its chief creative officer in January, left to go to Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, Ore., after only seven months on the job. Subsequently, 10-year agency veteran Paul Tilley was promoted to managing director of creative from group creative director in September, assuming Folino's duties and oversight of the agency's creative department.

Warren said his departure was not connected to Tilley's promotion or any other creative changes at the agency.

In recent weeks, group creative director Paul Brourman, an 18-year agency veteran who had been leading the agency's $450 million J.C. Penney account, also left the shop.