GSD&M Launches Strategy Studio to Expand Its Strategic Leadership Responsibilities

Austin-based creative agency GSD&M is launching a strategy studio consisting of general marketing strategists and decision sciences specialists. Through the creation of the new model, the agency hopes to meet increased client demand for strategic leadership from creative agency partners, delivering comprehensive strategic leadership and deeper insights to clients by combining its strategic practices in one collaborative model. The approach is currently being implemented across GSD&M's client roster, with capabilities spanning traditional brand planning, communications, social, audience and experience strategy, decision sciences and analytics and advertising technology. "There is a need for a new business model within the industry to build and deliver modern strategic solutions to connect brands and consumers in more impactful and meaningful ways," GSD&M president Marianne Malina said in a statement. "Our strategy studio amplifies the way we’re already working with clients while giving us the flexibility to be more integrated, to provide deeper insights, be faster, nimbler and smarter and deliver stronger storytelling with ideas that make a difference." With the new model comes a series of new and expanded leadership roles. GSD&M vice president, group strategy director Jim Firestone will be tasked with building out the strategy studio's capabilities and managing its community; vice president, social media Janice Suter will be responsible for reinforcing the centrality of the agency's social media strategy practice; and Shannon Jensen, formerly media director, will now serve as director of advertising technology. Mikael Greenlief also returns to the agency as director of communications strategy, following stints at Giant Spoon and Carat, responsible for leading communications planning and strategy across the agency's client roster. Former associate director, decision sciences David Zwickerhill was promoted to director of analytics as well, tasked with leading analytics-based decision sciences specialists within GSD&M’s strategy studio while working closely with Jensen. "The studio is a unique approach for the industry, bringing together GSD&M's long-standing strength in brand planning with our industry-leading decision sciences capability and emerging specialty disciplines," GSD&M chief strategy officer Andrew Teagle said in a statement. "The approach, [which is] much more flexible than traditional models, allows us to quickly get to more powerful insights, tell more compelling brand stories and ensure that every idea is making the biggest possible difference for our clients." The strategy studio launch follows a series of new business wins for GSD&M. Last month, Pizza Hut selected GSD&M as its new creative agency of record, following a review. Back in March, the agency retained the U.S. Air Force account, with a $747 million contract set to expire in September 2027 and the following month, jerky brand Jack Link’s selected GSD&M as its agency of record.

Leadership & Talent

GSD&M Launches Strategy Studio to Expand Its Strategic Leadership Responsibilities

The approach will be implemented across its client roster

Erik Oster

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Erik Oster