Gary goldsmith

In January of 1981, having just graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, I went to New York to begin my career. Before leaving, our department chair had asked us each to make a list of the top ten places we wanted to work.

I wrote Doyle Dane Bernbach ten times.

After living with award show books as my constant companions in school, Roy, as well as Helmut Krone and Bob Gage, had begun inspiring me long before we ever met.

And when I got to New York, I dropped my portfolio off at 437 Madison and waited for a call. It finally came from Nat Waterston, asking if I could come to the office and meet with Roy.

Meet with Roy? Roy Grace? Is this for real?

I remember our conversation in his sunny, corner office on the eighth floor as being very casual and relaxed, talking a little about my work, about Doyle Dane and about California.

Then, out of nowhere, Roy said, “So, two other guys from your school dropped off their portfolios here. Which one of you is the best?

Caught off guard and faced with the prospect of looking either immodest or unconfident, I replied, “I am.”

Roy smiled.

I got hired.

And months later, I heard from John Noble that Roy had liked my response.

From the very beginning, I think Roy and I understood each other.

And throughout my time at DDB, Roy was incredibly supportive and generous with his time and advice.

Perhaps, as far as he was concerned, occasionally a little too generous. Once he told me, “Gary, the assignments you choose to turn down are as important as the ones you accept.”

Not long after, I turned down an awful sounding Polaroid assignment that had the makings of a wasted 3 months.

Roy stopped by my office.

Roy: “ I heard you turned down that Polaroid trade assignment…why?”

Me: “I just took your advice.”

Roy: “I knew I shouldn’t have told you that.” (with a smirk)

After four and a half years of learning, growing and taking in all of the experiences I could at DDB,

I got a call from Jay Chiat, which led to an offer to become a Creative Director at their newly formed New York office.

It wasn’t a difficult decision from a business perspective…it was clear that DDB’s best days were behind it and Chiat/Day was on the rise.

But it was a difficult decision in that I didn’t relish the thought of leaving Roy’s mentorship or disappointing him.

By the time I went up to his office on the eleventh floor to resign, I had convinced myself that he probably saw the same things going on around us that I did and would understand and encourage me to take the next step in my journey.

I was wrong.

When I told him about my decision, he said, “Gary, you are making the biggest mistake of your career.”

I held firm and he graciously accepted it then wished me well. I thanked him and we parted with a warm handshake.

And then a funny thing happened.

Less than a year later, I got a call at Chiat/Day one morning from a writer/friend I had worked with at DDB.

“Roy is leaving. He’s starting his own agency.”

I waited a couple of days for the news to settle, and then called the new Grace & Rothschild to congratulate Roy.

When he picked up and said “Hi Gary”, I said, “Roy, you are making the biggest mistake of your career.”

He laughed loudly, and we made a plan to meet for lunch.

And that began the second part of our relationship.

We had lunch a few times a year, catching up, talking about the business, his family, the people we knew and all other topics.

When I opened my own agency, Roy was very encouraging and we had yet another commonality to share.

It’s rare that anyone gets to come full circle and have a true friendship with an early mentor and hero. I feel fortunate to have had that with Roy, and only wish it could have continued much longer.

I’ll close by saying that while I had complete trust in Roy’s creative judgement, there were times he would kill work that I liked. He was patient enough to let me bring it back and push for it two or three times, after which he would kill it with finality and say, “Gary, someday you’ll thank me for this.”

Yes Roy, I do thank you.

But not just for that.

For the inspiration, the opportunities, the advice, and our friendship.

Gary Goldsmith 
Vice President/Associate Creative Director 
DDB 1981-1985