Michael Houston

Michael Houston

President at WPP US
New York, United States

About me

Michael was promoted worldwide chief executive officer on August 1st 2017, the same day Grey group was officially 100 years "old". “As global president, I've travelled the world and been inspired by the depth and breadth of talent and creativity across the Grey network,” Houston said. "I'm humbled to work among such brilliant creative minds and honored to become CEO of this great agency brand at the height of its momentum, with vast potential ahead.” Michael joined Grey New York, the global network's flagship headquarters office, in 2007.He is one of the most respected and innovative marketers in the industry and an integral part of the New York management team, spearheading Grey's business development efforts and the marketing of the Grey brand. His indisputable talent at winning new business has helped Grey win over $1 billion of new client billings in the last three years.Previously at Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners, Michael led one of the agency's most success¬ful periods in its history. In the mid-'90s, he spent five years at Young 8( Rubicam and Landor Associates in New York and San Francisco on the account, new business and corporate communications sides. He rose to the position of Vice President, North American Business Development, for the advertising agency. During his tenure, Y8(R added more than $1 billion in new business.During his days in Account Management and Brand Strategy, Michael worked across a variety of industries on a diverse portfolio of brands such as Kraft's Jell-O, United Airlines, Chef Boyardee, Pirelli Tires, Coors, Dreyer's/Edy's Ice Cream and Lexus. He began his advertising career as Jay Chiat's first intern to work across disciplines at Chiat\Day, New York.Michael is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he studied advertising and marketing at the William Allen White School of Journalism.

Positions

President, US
New York, United States
July 2022 - Present (1 year 10 months)
Managing Director
New York, United States
September 2011 - Present (12 years 8 months)
Global Chief Marketing Officer
New York, United States
September 2007 - Present (16 years 8 months)
Global President
New York, United States
August 2017 - July 2022 (4 years 11 months)
“As global president, I've travelled the world and been inspired by the depth and breadth of talent and creativity across the Grey network,” Houston said. "I'm humbled to work among such brilliant creative minds and honored to become CEO of this great agency brand at the height of its momentum, with vast potential ahead.”
Chief Operating Officer
New York, United States
October 2012 - July 2017 (4 years 9 months)
Partner, Director of Corporate Development
Global
October 2002 - June 2007 (4 years 8 months)
Director of Client Relations
New York, United States
May 2002 - October 2002 (5 months)
Director of Corporate Development
New York, United States
October 2000 - May 2002 (1 year 7 months)
Business Development
New York, United States
1994 - 1999 (5 years)
Marketing Director, Brand Identity
New York, United States
April 1998 - December 1998 (8 months)
Assistant AE
Los Angeles, United States
1994 (1 year)
Director of Corporate Development
New York, United States

Education

Trade Organizations

ACT Responsible, Chalais

ACT'ive Corporate Member
June 2012 - Present (11 years 11 months)

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