John Hilbrich has joined The Communique Group of Toronto as vice-president, director of client services, after nearly 14 years with Leo Burnett Company, most recently as senior vice-president in Chicago, heading up McDonald’s USA.

Hilbrich joined Burnett in Toronto in 1983, and, over the years, he has risen steadily through the agency.

He moved to Chicago in January 1985 as account director, and two years later was transferred to Frankfurt, Germany.

In 1990, he was given responsibility for Scandinavia.

Hilbrich moved to Denmark in 1991 as deputy managing director to lead the Procter & Gamble and Kellogg businesses in Scandinavia, and the next year was appointed managing director of the offices in Sweden and Denmark.

He returned to Toronto as senior vice-president, client services director in 1994 before moving back to Chicago earlier this year.