GSD&M began in 1971 when six University of Texas graduates wanted to stay in Austin and build a company to generate big ideas that could make a difference. We didn't know much about advertising and less about business. We had no rule books. But we did have common sense and good instincts. From the beginning, we recognized that what a company stands for is as important as what it sells. And that it's important to work with people you trust and respect.



We had several other things going for us. We were passionate about our clients' businesses and we had a ""whatever it takes"" attitude. We were full of ideas and dreams and too naive to know we couldn't make them come true. And we were unbelievably lucky. Over thirty years later, we have grown to be among the top agencies in the country and we have done that differently than most of our competitors. Most agencies grow by adding more clients.



We are over a $1 billion agency, yet have fewer than 30 clients. We have done that by growing along with our clients. Each of our clients receives an extraordinary level of service.



We are united behind a common purpose: the quest for visionary ideas that get our clients where they want to go faster than anyone thought possible. Southwest Airlines served four cities when we began our relationship over 20 years ago. Now they serve 59. We started handling one product for Southwestern Bell Telephone company.



Now we are the lead agency directing over 15 partner agencies in the effort to relaunch the AT&T brand. Wal-Mart and Brinker International are more examples of how we have started small with clients and grown as the relationships flourished. The people we work with tell the real story of who we are: our client, media and vendor partners and 650 people who form the Idea Teams in Idea City.