McGarrybowen

Was a top-tier creative agency within the Dentsu network, known for brand-building campaigns for Fortune 500 clients before being consolidated into Dentsu Creative in 2022.

McGarryBowen was founded in 2002 by Gordon Bowen and Stewart Owen, quickly establishing itself as one of the most celebrated independent creative agencies in the United States. The agency built a reputation for emotionally resonant, brand-centric advertising, winning major accounts including United Airlines, Marriott, Verizon, Disney, and JPMorgan Chase. Its philosophy centered on the idea that strong brand love drives business results, and it consistently produced work that balanced creative ambition with commercial effectiveness. The agency grew rapidly and attracted the attention of Dentsu, the Japanese advertising conglomerate, which acquired it in 2008. Under Dentsu's ownership, McGarryBowen expanded globally, opening offices in London, Chicago, San Francisco, and other markets, becoming one of the flagship creative agencies within the Dentsu network. It was frequently recognized on industry lists such as Ad Age's Agency A-List and won numerous Cannes Lions and Effie Awards throughout its operational years. In 2022, Dentsu consolidated McGarryBowen along with several other creative agency brands — including 360i, Dentsu Aegis, and others — into a unified entity called Dentsu Creative. The rebrand was part of a broader global restructuring effort by Dentsu to streamline its creative offerings under a single, cohesive brand. With this consolidation, the McGarryBowen name was retired, ending two decades of operation as a distinct creative agency brand.