GUT New York has appointed Deb Freeman as its first head of strategy. In her new role, she will lead GUT’s strategy team across all facets of strategic planning, integration, and execution. She will report to U.S. head of strategy Natalia Davila and New York managing director Gus Marmarinos.
With more than 20 years of experience in brand and agency strategy, Freeman has held key roles at Grey, FCB New York, McCann, and most recently at BCW (now Burson) as the North American chief strategy officer driving transformation for established brands and emerging startups. Her strategic leadership has propelled brands such as Jet Blue, Pantene, TJ Maxx, Canon, Burger King, Ulta Beauty and Prudential into the cultural spotlight winning awards at Cannes Lions, Clios, Effies, and The Webbys.
“Deb is an exceptionally talented strategist who knows how to turn insight into impact. She’s helped some of the world’s biggest brands create breakthrough work that not only drives business growth but shapes culture,” said Marmarinos.
Freeman is deeply passionate about driving meaningful change. She has worked with The Brady Foundation on advocacy initiatives, partnered with The United States Tennis Association to change elitist perceptions of tennis and helped Cancer Culture, a breast cancer organization, expose the truth about metastatic patients to fund research for millions of women in desperate need of a cure.
“GUT is known for brave, ambitious, and culturally relevant work–built on smart strategy and real human insights,” said Freeman. “As a strategist, GUT’s wholehearted dedication to delivering best in class creativity through transformative insights is a dream come true. I couldn’t be more thrilled to join this world-class team.”
Freeman is GUT New York’s second senior hire this year, following executive creative director John Parker in February.
