Lee Newman
CEO, GSD&M
Lee Newman is a seasoned executive leader in the advertising industry with over two decades of experience driving growth through creativity and innovation. He has held key leadership roles at renowned agencies, including MullenLowe and Ogilvy, where he transformed their creative capabilities and secured high-profile accounts. Lee’s strategic vision has been instrumental in building iconic brands like BMW, Coca-Cola, and Nike, earning accolades such as the Effie Most Effective Agency award. His commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has reshaped workplace cultures, making them more inclusive.
Lee is also a passionate advocate for the transformative power of creativity, believing in its ability to foster exceptional results. He has served on various boards, contributing to community initiatives, including efforts to combat homelessness. In his current role as President at GSD&M, he continues to push creative boundaries and elevate brand narratives.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992, Lee started his career at Leo Burnett in Chicago as a Media Planner on the Procter & Gamble and Walt Disney World businesses. Lee joined Fallon in 1997, where he went to work on the BMW account. He eventually grew into the position of Account Director, overseeing advertising as well as the bmwusa.com website. He was part of the team that developed the groundbreaking BMW Films campaign, which won “Best of Show” at Cannes and “Campaign of the Year” from Ad Age and became a Harvard Business School case study.
Prior to joining MullenLowe U.S., Lee served as President of Ogilvy Chicago, managing all aspects of their integrated offering. Before that, he served as Managing Director of Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam. During his four years there, the office added new clients, significantly increased profitability and expanded its footprint to include Russia and the Middle East. In 2011, The Gunn Report named Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam the most creatively awarded agency in the world.
Lee lives in Los Angeles and has an 18-year-old daughter Samantha, who has many curls, and a 14-year-old son Daniel, with just one.