PASADENA, Calif., Aug. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Art Center College of Design has named Gary Goldsmith as chair of its Advertising Department, it was announced today by Art Center Provost Fred Fehlau. Bringing more than three decades of experience as a top creative at such firms as Lowe Worldwide, DDB, Chiat/Day and Young & Rubicam, Goldsmith will lead the program as the industry continues to undergo revolutionary change.
"Ever since influential adman Edward A. 'Tink' Adams founded Art Center in 1930, the Advertising Department has been at the heart of our school," said Fehlau. "Historically, the program has played an important role in shaping the advertising industry and in that time contributed to its creative leadership. Today, much of that industry has changed, and Gary has led that change by utilizing social and digital media to build new strategies for branding and messaging."
Goldsmith graduated from Art Center in 1981 with a B.F.A. in Advertising with honors. Previously, he earned a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He began his career at DDB in New York, working on campaigns for Volkswagen, IBM and Hershey. In just four years, he became the firm's senior vice president and creative group head.
"The landscape of advertising has changed drastically, and the redefinition of our business is only just beginning to accelerate," said Goldsmith. "In five years most of the current sources for jobs won't exist. But I believe that Art Center, with our strong parallel programs in entertainment, digital, film, photography and environmental design, is positioned to build not only the first truly modern advertising program in the world, but one that will prepare our students to tap into broader sources for careers than ever before."
Goldsmith is the co-founder of Underhead, a network of creative resources and companies. Founded in 2009 with Robert Reiser, Underhead brings together global talent in every discipline, including advertising, digital and social media, package design, and film.
He was the co-founder of Goldsmith/Jeffrey, a top New York agency in the 1990s that produced award-winning work for clients such as Everlast, J.P. Morgan, ESPN, El Al Israel Airlines and Barneys New York. In 1997, Goldsmith/Jeffrey was acquired by Lowe Worldwide and the Interpublic Group. At Lowe, Goldsmith rose to the level of chairman and chief creative officer of North America, and worked with clients that included Mercedes Benz, Sony, The Coca Cola Company, Heineken, Saab, GMC and Macy's. During his career he also held the positions of co-creative director of the Chiat/Day New York office and chief creative officer of North America for Young & Rubicam.
Goldsmith has received many international awards, including Cannes Lions, One Show, Clios, Art Directors Club, Andys, Communication Arts, Graphis, New York Film Festival, London International Film Festival, D &AD and Association of Independent Commercial Producers. His work is part of the permanent collection of MoMA. He is a past president of The One Club in New York City, and is one of the few creative leaders to have represented the United States on both the film and print juries at Cannes.
He was the founder of Adhouse; a former faculty member of the School of Visual Arts in New York; and a guest lecturer at NYU Stern School of Business. For the last few years he has taught a 10-day course entitled "Crashvertising" at Art Center.
Goldsmith comes to Art Center as a result of an extensive international search conducted by a committee of faculty, alumni, students and staff.
Advertising is one of several programs undergoing new leadership and redesign in response to the College's strategic plan, Create Change, which lays the groundwork for Art Center not only to retain its competitive edge, but also to become the foremost art and design college of the 21st century.
About Art Center College of Design
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, Art Center College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. Art Center offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide variety of art and design disciplines, as well as public programs for all ages and levels of experience. Renowned for its ties to industry and professional rigor, Art Center is also the first design school to receive the United Nations' Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status, providing students with opportunities to create design-based solutions for humanitarian and nonprofit agencies around the world. During the College's 80-year history, Art Center's alumni have had a profound impact on popular culture, the way we live, and important issues in our society.
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