About Us

BIOGRAPHY: PHILIP H. GEIER, JR.
Philip H. Geier is a dedicated communications industry leader and activist who defined the modern advertising holding company, and is widely recognized for having championed and personally embodied the client-centric business model. His distinguished career started when he joined McCann-Erickson in Cleveland in 1958. He rose through the ranks quickly, moving to the New York office and then on to London where in short order, he was named regional director of McCann-Europe and then vice chairman-international. His success was so dramatic that he was named Vice Chairman of the parent company, Interpublic, in 1975, then President and COO two years later, and finally at the young age of 45 he was named Chairman and CEO. He retired from this position at the end of December 2000 and serves as Chairman Emeritus. Over the 20 years under Geier's leadership, Interpublic grew from revenues of $500M and 8,000 employees to a truly global enterprise with 650 offices in 127 countries, with revenues of $5.6B and 50,000 employees. He shepherded the continued growth of McCann, but also oversaw the acquisitions of Campbell-Ewald, SSC&B and Lintas, the Lowe Group, Draft, Deutsch, Shandwick and many others that comprise the Interpublic Group today. His business model became the blueprint of other global networks. His unswerving focus on his clients' concerns changed the model of the effective account person. During his 20-year tenure as CEO, Interpublic stock experienced a compound growth rate of over 22 percent.

But Geier's career was not only about insightful business decisions. His dedication to activism and strong support of the advertising industry were instrumental in protecting the industry's interests. He was the first Chairman of PRO-AD PAC, the industry's political action arm. He was a prime mover in forming the Ad Tax Coalition, personally walking the halls of the Capital and pleading the industry's case to legislators. He was a staunch advocate of the First Amendment and also a founding member of the European Advertising Tripartite, which was the combined effort of European clients, agencies and the media to ensure fair and balanced treatment for our industry by the EU in Brussels and Strasbourg.

In addition, Geier served as Chairman of the Ad Council, was an active member of the Business Council, created economic stimulus proposals for three administrations and served on a number of government task forces.

After retirement, Geier continues to be deeply engaged in a number of charitable causes. He serves as trustee for the boards of Autism Speaks, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Save the Children Federation, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. He also serves on the Board of Overseers for Columbia University Business School and as an avid tennis player, sits on the board of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In February 2001, Geier formed The Geier Group LLC to provide consulting/advisory services in marketing, communications and venture capital. Additionally, he continues to serve as director on the boards of AEA Investors Inc. and Fiduciary Trust International Inc. and is a Senior Advisor at Lazard Frères & Co. LLC. He recently retired as director from the boards of Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Foot Locker Inc. and Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.

Phil Geier has been married to his wife Faith, with whom he has two daughters and four grandchildren, for over forty years.