From the Archive: There’s Always an Us in Austin with Roy Spence, Co-Founder and Chairman of GSD&M and Founder of the Make it Movement

Austin Next

Roy Spence is the co-founder and chairman of GSD&M, an Austin-based advertising agency. With his significant background in the advertising industry, Roy and his team have played a pivotal role in shaping Austin's reputation as a city of ideas and innovation. Roy is also the founder of Make It Movement, a non-profit organization that helps young people discover their own purpose. In this episode, we will delve into Roy's journey as a business leader and advertising pioneer, exploring the early days of GSD&M, how he navigated the challenges of preserving the core values and purpose of Austin, the role of large events in shaping Austin's narrative, and his vision for the future of Austin. The episode will also shed light on Roy's thoughts on the intersection of purpose, values, and business.

Original episode aired January 17, 2023

Episode Highlights

• The fundamental challenge that Austin faces with our hypergrowth is navigating the tension between persevering the core and stimulating progress
• The original GSD&M Plan - Stay together; Stay in Austin; Make a difference; & Get Rich
• Austin will continue punching above our weight if we evolve from not just a city of innovation, but to city of new ideas.
• The Make It Movement is about letting young people discover what they could become great at and let them start learning to become great. Whether it's a lawyer or whether it's a welder.
• What's next Austin - "We got to rediscover what made us. I think Austin should do a citywide purpose project"

Roy Spence

GSD&M: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter

Make It Movement: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube

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