When Stockholm-born Linus Karlsson -- part of an elite group that have imported Swedish-style creativity to the U.S. -- was recruited two-and-a-half years ago from Mother to McCann, he faced a Herculean task. Improving the quality of work at the dusty, hulking agency network seemed impossible.

But his commitment was a big part of McCann's success on the awards circuit in 2013.

It was one of the highest-ranked agencies at the One Show; named agency of the year by the Art Director's Club of New York; and at the Webbys McCann had the most-awarded campaign for the viral sensation "Dumb Ways to Die." Said McCann Worldgroup CEO Harris Diamond: "His passion for ideas touches everyone he works with across the McCann network and inspires our employees to raise their expectations for what they can achieve for our clients."