Cory Berger Joins Goodby Silverstein & Partners as First Chief Growth Officer

Today Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P) announced that Cory Berger will become its first-ever chief growth officer, in addition to being named an associate partner. In this role Berger will be responsible for driving growth across both of GS&P’s offices, in San Francisco and New York City, as part of the leadership team working to build the iconic agency’s vision for the future. Cory will be based in New York and will report to Jeff Goodby, co-founder and co-chairman, and Leslie Barrett, president and partner. 

“More than ever, an agency is defined by the companies we work with,” said Jeff Goodby. “Cory knows this and will help shape us for years to come. From our initial conversation, it was clear he loves this business and knows that we are only as good as the opportunities in front of us.”

Cory joins GS&P from Grey, where he spent four years as global CMO and chief growth officer, leading growth for the global network. In his time at Grey, Cory was part of the executive leadership team that helped the agency navigate and transform during the pandemic while positioning it for future growth. In 2021, during Cory’s tenure, Grey achieved its biggest new business year in a decade with a string of consecutive high-profile wins, including MassMutual, Modelo, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, IHG Hotels, Activision Blizzard and Georgia Pacific. On the heels of this winning streak, Grey was named Ad Age’s Comeback Agency of the Year in early 2022.

“I’ve always had huge admiration for GS&P, so when they reached out with the opportunity to become the agency’s first-ever chief growth officer, it was too good to pass up,” said Cory. “Everyone knows about the agency’s iconic brand work, but I’m equally impressed by their ability to blend creativity with new technology. The combination of the two is what modern brands are seeking from their agency partners today, and GS&P can deliver on both.”

The hire of Cory marks one of the first major hires from GS&P president and partner Leslie Barrett, a 23-year agency veteran. Since ascending to managing partner in 2016, Barrett has been part of a leadership team that has appeared on Ad Age’s A-List of the top-ranking ad agencies for six years in a row. During that time GS&P has also been named Fast Company’s Most Innovative Advertising Agency (2021); Campaign’s Agency of the Year (2021); and Forbes’s Agency of the Year (2020). GS&P has continued to innovate its offering for clients. Over the past year the agency has seen record growth in its Brand Camp offering, which offers expedited brand and business consulting for the C-suite. And its AI offerings via GS&P Labs included first-of-their-kind projects like The Dream Tapestry, which utilised OpenAI’s DALL•E for the Dalí Museum, as well as AI projects for BMW and Frito-Lay’s Doritos and Cheetos. 

“Cory is joining GS&P at the perfect time as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. Creativity, innovation and growth are our focus, and Cory’s diverse agency experience and track record of success make him the right person to be our first chief growth officer. We’re excited to have him leading growth for both our SF and NY offices,” said Leslie. 

Prior to working at Grey, Cory served as managing director of Pereira O’Dell, where he established and led the agency’s New York office. Under Cory’s leadership POD NY achieved six years of consecutive growth while creating award-winning work for partners such as FOX Sports, MINI, Realtor.com, General Mills, Blue Apron, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Reebok, Timberland, New Era and the NBA. In 2016 Cory was named to the prestigious Ad Age 40 Under 40 list.

“I’m extremely grateful for my time at Grey and proud of what we accomplished during my four years. I wish them nothing but the best ahead,” said Cory.

Earlier in his career, Berger spent time at creative shops including Mother, Momentum and Euro RSCG (now Havas), and he currently serves on the board of advisors for the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School, a new charter school for underprivileged kids in the Bronx, NYC.