Roy Spence
Encyclopedia
Roy Spence is the chairman, CEO, and co-founder of the advertising agency GSD&M Idea City and author of the books The Amazing Faith of Texas and It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For: Why Every Extraordinary Business Is Driven By Purpose.
, and went on to found GSD&M Idea City in 1971.
In February 2009, Spence, along with Haley Rushing authored "Its Not What You Sell, Its What You Stand For," providing a primer to a brand management model pioneered by GSD&M Idea City called "Purposed Based Branding." According to Spence, "In a company without purpose, people have no idea what they're really there to do. They often look to the competition to decide what to do rather than navigate by their own sense of what's right. With a purpose in place an organization knows its reason for being and is driven to perform and innovate. Purpose sets you apart from the competition, authenticates your brand, inspires passion in your people and helps you achieve the impossible."
Early life
Roy was born in Brownwood, Texas in 1948. In 1967 he enrolled at University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, and went on to found GSD&M Idea City in 1971.
Work
In 2004, he won the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Texas. The Austin, Texas chapter of the American Advertising Federation and Texas Monthly magazine have previously named Spence Adman of the Year and Adman of the Century.Publications
In September 2006, The Amazing Faith of Texas by Roy Spence and the People of Texas was published by the University of Texas PressUniversity of Texas Press
The University of Texas Press is a university press that is part of the University of Texas at Austin. Established in 1950, the Press publishes scholarly books in several areas, including Latin American studies, Texana, anthropology, U.S...
In February 2009, Spence, along with Haley Rushing authored "Its Not What You Sell, Its What You Stand For," providing a primer to a brand management model pioneered by GSD&M Idea City called "Purposed Based Branding." According to Spence, "In a company without purpose, people have no idea what they're really there to do. They often look to the competition to decide what to do rather than navigate by their own sense of what's right. With a purpose in place an organization knows its reason for being and is driven to perform and innovate. Purpose sets you apart from the competition, authenticates your brand, inspires passion in your people and helps you achieve the impossible."