Laurence Gega

I’m a blue collar guy that’s good at solving white collar problems.

I got my start at Young & Rubicam as an admin, doing expenses for chauffeured execs.
Six months later I worked my way into account management.
From there, most of my nights were spent working on a portfolio.

That book landed me my first real creative job at TBWA\Chiat\Day NY.
On day 2, the account I was hired on went into review.
Day 3, I met Lee Clow in the elevator. He gruffly assured me he’s going to save my job (he did).

Fast forward into a lucky career that somehow got Steve Jobs, Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos to sign off on my work.
I’ve pitched ideas on a glacier, from the backseat of a client’s speeding car, and even the Pentagon.
This business is crazy and I feel fortunate to have been invited to the show.

I’ve had a few incredible mentors along the way, which means I’ll never be done paying it forward.
I believe empathy is everything when you’re dealing with briefs, teams, or clients.
Effort outmaneuvers talent.
Leadership starts and ends with humility.