Neil White

Neil White

President & CEO at BBDO Proximity, Minneapolis
Minneapolis, United States

About me

Neil is an experienced advertising executive who is passionate about people and what motivates them. Throughout his career he has focused on finding communication ideas that link people to brands in surprising and motivating ways.

Neil's advertising experience was gained in South Africa, Canada and the United States, were he worked at several international agencies.

As the advertising world experiences fundamental structural shifts and evolves to the digital era, an era that brings new and exciting opportunities, his goal is to build strong integrated agency teams that seize these opportunities and make brands famous.

Specialties: Agency Management, Account Management, Strategic Planing, International Marketing, Automotive, FCG, Food Marketing, Financial & Media

Positions

President & CEO
Minneapolis, United States
September 2008 - Present (16 years 2 months)
Neil leads the agency to develop thought-provoking, behavior-changing, and fame-driven ideas. BBDO MPLS clients that include 3M, Andersen Windows, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Hormel Foods. Under his leadership, BBDO MPLS has received significant creative recognition for work that has launched successful new products and grown established brands. BBDO MPLS services include: strategic, social & communications planning; creative development and production in television, digital, radio, print and mobile; community management; and consumer experience design. BBDO MPLS sometimes also partners with the BBDO International network for specialized projects. BBDO MPLS is truly the smallest, biggest agency in the Midwest.
Senior Vice President
ACLC Inc. an MDC Agency
United States
2002 - 2008 (6 years)
• Led the development of marketing communications for Canwest Interactive and Sun Life Financial Insurance.
• Played a leadership role in planning for and running the agency, as a member of ACLC’s executive management committee. Was also responsible for developing new business opportunities.
• Managed the development of marketing communications for Hershey Canada (Oh Henry! Reese, Pot of Gold, Kisses, Hershey, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Skor and Bites) and ABC Canada Literacy.
• Grew Hershey revenue by 43% in five years.
• Developed ACLC’s strategic planning process, research tool box, and creative brief.
• Led the planning effort on the Mercedes-Benz and Ontario Power Authority pitches, resulting in ACLC’s winning of those accounts.
Account Director
Toronto, Canada
2000 - 2002 (2 years)
• Strategized a successful marketing plan for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission for the Lotto 6/49 and Instant Bingo brands.
• Guided the development of marketing communications for Wrigley Brands - Juicy Fruit, Big Red, Spearmint and Doublemint and Alpine.
• Oversaw the development of the communications launch for the all-new Juicy Fruit blister pack. This was Wrigley’s most successful launch growing the brand five fold.
• Consulted with the Scotiabank account team that developed fall investment and RRSP campaigns. Also responsible for developing and implementing Scotia McLeod’s i:Partner campaign launch.
Account Director
Toronto, Canada
1999 - 2000 (1 year)
• Managed a client portfolio including: Adams, a division of Warner Lambert (Trident, Trident Advantage & Halls) and Shell Canada.
• Launched Trident Advantage, a new dental gum, in Canada, with an integrated communication campaign.
• Responsible for planning, developing and implementing an international repositioning campaign for Halls. The campaign included the Halls “golfer” television advert, which ran in twelve countries and won several significant awards – including a Lion at Cannes.
• Pitched and won the Shell Canada business. Managed the business until a permanent Account Group was recruited.
• Managed the United Distillers and Vintners (Smirnoff, Baileys, Malibu & Tanqueray) account. Oversaw the development of new advertising for Smirnoff, Baileys and Malibu.

Education

Omnicom U - SMP (Senior Management Program)

2015 - 2016 (1 year)

MSc in Marketing

2004 - 2010 (6 years)

Similar Talent

Robin Koval
CEO & President
Truth Initiative
Hervé Brossard
President & CEO
OMD
Bruno Tallent
President & CEO
MCCANN ERICKSON PARIS
Pete Imwalle
President / CEO
RPA
Chris Hall
President & CEO
BBDO Atlanta
Angelo Trozzolo
President & CEO
Trozzolo
Richard Edelman
President / CEO
Edelman Worldwide
Todd Grantham
President & CEO
DDB San Francisco

Create a free Talent profile and become a member of AdForum

Get Started