GSD&M

GSD&M is an American advertising agency headquartered in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1971 by graduates of University of Texas at Austin – Roy Spence, Judy Trabulsi, Tim McClure and Steve Gurasich, and others, as AdVantage Associates.[1] After the 1972 political campaign for former Texas Senator Ralph Yarborough, it re-organized with the four principals, as GSD&M. Since 1998, GSD&M has been part of the Omnicom Group. A satellite office is located in Chicago, Illinois.

GSD&M
Company typePublic
IndustryAdvertising
Founded1971
HeadquartersAustin, Texas,
United States
Number of employees
400+
Websitewww.gsdm.com

History

The agency started with local retail accounts and expanded to more regional work. In 1986, the agency created the Don't Mess with Texas anti-litter slogan for the Texas Department of Transportation.

In the 1990s GSD&M began to acquire more national brands outside of Texas and was regarded as a "creative hot-shop."[2] The agency relinquished Chili's, DreamWorks, Frito-Lay, Fannie Mae and UnitedHealthcare in 2006–2007. The agency's Omnicom sibling, BBDO, was given the lead on the AT&T account, although GSD&M still has a portion of the business. That loss eventually reduced the number of employees from a high of over 900 to fewer than 400.

The agency was known as GSD&M until August 27, 2007 when it changed its name to GSD&M's Idea City.[3] "Idea City" was previously the name of the agency's Austin headquarters. The "Idea City" name was dropped from the firm name in January 2011.[4]

On February 5, 2009, GSD&M founder Roy Spence published It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For. The book, co-authored with Haley Rushing, is a business book that suggests the key to high-performing organizations is that they have a purpose. Purpose, according to the book, is defined as "a definitive statement about the difference you are trying to make in the world."

GSD&M uses "Purpose-based branding" in its approach to their clients.[5]

In 2001, following the September 11 attacks, the firm created the public service announcement short film I am an American for the Ad Council.[6]

In January 2016, Blue Bunny Ice Cream appointed GSD&M as its lead media partner.[7]

References
  1. "GSD&M Advertising - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on GSD&M Advertising".
  2. Imperato, Gina (October 1997). "Greetings from Idea City". Fast Company. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  3. "Idea City: GSD&M Retools for the Future," Adweek Online December 27, 2007.
  4. "GSD&M Turning 40, Drops ‘Idea City’", AgencySpy, January 27, 2011.
  5. http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3ia48763163f8b981b43639760b99647cf GSD&M Finds Renewed 'Purpose'
  6. "Ad Council Classics: "I am an American"". Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
  7. "Blue Bunny Picks GSD&M as Media Partner for Upcoming Brand Refresh". Retrieved 2018-06-11.
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