Yes, you read that correctly, Grey NY has now hired an executive creative director–not group creative director for a change this month–in Lee St. James. Prior to joining Grey as its newest ECD, St. James spent several years as a senior creative at Publicis New York on brands like UBS and Sanofi as well as a half-decade as SVP/CD at Saatchi & Saatchi NY. We rather appreciate the portrait shot of the CLIO/Effie/ANDY-winning St. James, who you can find out more about in, yes, another memo from you know who below and after the jump.
“We’ve got a new ECD in the house. His name is Lee St. James, and he’ll be partnering with Dave Cohen to run all GSK brands. Lee will also help with a lot of new biz pitches moving forward.
AdvertisementLee has run big brands and helped spearhead creative change at great agencies like TBWA/Chiat/Day, Publicis and Saatchi & Saatchi. He understands global branding, and what it takes to create big creative platforms that work across cultures and regions. Pepsi, Jet Blue, P&G, Tylenol, Wall Street Journal and Amstel Light are a few of the brands he’s guided.
Lee’s approach is less than traditional. He’s an accomplished artist and holds a BFA in design and ceramics and an MFA in sculpture. He has an extensive background in brand identity and identity development. He’s a creative director, art director, designer, copywriter and strategist who has won more than 500 awards at Cannes, EFFIES, Andys, One Show, Clios, blah blah blah.But what I like most about Lee is he’s not an ad guy. He’s an artist and a creative problem solver, who happens to be in advertising. I feel very lucky to have him in the building. His sideways thinking creates solutions that are seldom what you would expect. He approaches the craft in a totally unique way, leaning into his fine arts background and never, ever relying on tried and true advertising formulas. He will push everyone around him to act braver, think bigger, and get better.
When you have a minute, come welcome Lee to the family.
He’s a good one.
Tor.”