We’re excited to announce that industry veteran, Ben James, has joined GALE as our first-ever Chief Innovation Officer. James will work to further establish GALE as an innovator in the content and media space through the development of an entirely new innovation discipline, building processes, programs, activations, prototypes and campaigns for GALE’s clients. James will be instrumental in building relationships and collaborating with partners, publishers and platforms to deliver new marketing ideas that drive transformation. 

“As we continue to grow our teams, build out departments, and integrate our services at GALE, we’re constantly looking for innovative ways to provide clients with what they need to drive business,” said Brad Simms, President and CEO of GALE. “Ben has an expansive and impressive pedigree working at and on a range of groundbreaking companies and brands throughout his career so we’re confident that his experience will help us redefine what innovation means for GALE and our clients.”

Prior to this new role James spent the last year consulting for startups and established brands, looking to innovate across brand, media and product. Most recently, he led creative for T Brand at The New York Times. Prior to that, he worked at some of the most creatively innovative advertising, marketing and design shops in the world, including Crispin Porter + Bogusky, CAA, BBH LA, WPP with brief stints at Goodby Silverstein and TDA. James’ leadership and creativity work has earned awards across a spectrum of creative categories at The One Show, Cannes Lions, Clios, Sundance Film Festival, CES and more. He has created content specifically for Hulu, leveraged early-stage influencer deals into big pops of earned media, outlined digital programming for small businesses in Egypt, created TV specials, navigated collaborative deals with Facebook, Google and The New York Times.

“GALE has built trusted, business-oriented relationships with clients on a foundation of data for the last eight years,” said James. “As the industry reckons with a new phase of relentless change in the digital landscape, we will navigate and activate in new ways across emerging opportunities and collaborations for clients.”