Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P) has named managing partner Leslie Barrett as its next president, only the third person to hold the post over the past 30 years. Barrett takes over the role from Derek Robson, a 17-year GS&P veteran who left the agency in December 2022 to become CEO of Ideo.
“Leslie is an aggressive business builder, a master negotiator, a champion of innovation and a leader dedicated to employee well-being who thrives on making work that drives true business impact,” said Jeff Goodby, co-founder and co-chairman of GS&P in a statement. “She is the perfect leader to take GS&P forward.”
Barrett said her promotion means creativity and growth for the agency.
“We’re going to hold on to the things that have made us us: our creativity, our humanity and the responsibility we take in the ways we influence culture. We’ll evolve in the way that we use our creativity to solve problems and do it in even more innovative and welcome ways,” Barrett told Adweek.
Barrett will help direct the agency’s vision and be responsible for the overall business, while also creating and maintaining a place where people can come and do their best work.
Barrett takes the president position in a partner group that is now 62% women. Since the new partnership was put in place in 2016, the agency has thrived, landing on Adweek’s shortlist for U.S. Agency of the Year and becoming Fast Company’s Most Innovative Advertising Agency (2021), along with other accolades.
“Leslie is a strong leader who sets a clear direction, believes creativity can solve any problem and creates momentum for the business,” said Margaret Johnson, CCO of GS&P in a statement. “She takes a human approach and nurtures trust and collaboration within her teams and loyalty with her clients.”
“I don’t think there’s anyone who better understands what the company is and where we want to take it,” added Rich Silverstein, co-founder and co-chairman of GS&P. “In advertising you can’t sit still and rest on your laurels. You have to constantly evolve, and she’s the person to help us do that.”
