Jeff Goodby
Jeff Goodby is a legendary figure in American advertising, best known as co-founder and co-chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), the San Francisco-based agency he built alongside Rich Silverstein into one of the most creatively acclaimed shops in the world. His work has fundamentally shaped modern advertising culture, most notably through the 'Got Milk?' campaign created in 1993 for the California Milk Processor Board — a tagline so pervasive it became embedded in American pop culture for decades. Under his creative leadership, GS&P has produced landmark work for brands including Chevrolet, Adobe, Doritos, E*TRADE, and the NBA, earning a reputation for campaigns that blend wit, intelligence, and emotional resonance. Goodby began his career as a journalist and artist before entering advertising, joining Hal Riney & Partners in San Francisco in the late 1970s. He and Rich Silverstein founded their agency in 1983, which later became part of the Omnicom Group's BBDO network as an affiliate. Over four decades, GS&P has been named Agency of the Year by virtually every major industry publication, and Goodby himself has been recognized as one of the most awarded creative directors in advertising history. His background in writing and fine arts infuses his creative philosophy with a literary and visual sensibility rare in the industry. Beyond client work, Goodby is a respected voice on creativity, craft, and the future of the advertising industry. He is a frequent speaker at industry events including Cannes Lions and the One Club, and has served in leadership roles within the creative community. He remains actively involved in day-to-day creative work at GS&P, continuing to mentor the next generation of advertising talent while steering the agency's creative output.
Last updated Oct 2, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment
- Years in industry
- 45 years
Bio
Jeff Goodby is a legendary figure in American advertising, best known as co-founder and co-chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), the San Francisco-based agency he built alongside Rich Silverstein into one of the most creatively acclaimed shops in the world. His work has fundamentally shaped modern advertising culture, most notably through the 'Got Milk?' campaign created in 1993 for the California Milk Processor Board — a tagline so pervasive it became embedded in American pop culture for decades. Under his creative leadership, GS&P has produced landmark work for brands including Chevrolet, Adobe, Doritos, E*TRADE, and the NBA, earning a reputation for campaigns that blend wit, intelligence, and emotional resonance. Goodby began his career as a journalist and artist before entering advertising, joining Hal Riney & Partners in San Francisco in the late 1970s. He and Rich Silverstein founded their agency in 1983, which later became part of the Omnicom Group's BBDO network as an affiliate. Over four decades, GS&P has been named Agency of the Year by virtually every major industry publication, and Goodby himself has been recognized as one of the most awarded creative directors in advertising history. His background in writing and fine arts infuses his creative philosophy with a literary and visual sensibility rare in the industry. Beyond client work, Goodby is a respected voice on creativity, craft, and the future of the advertising industry. He is a frequent speaker at industry events including Cannes Lions and the One Club, and has served in leadership roles within the creative community. He remains actively involved in day-to-day creative work at GS&P, continuing to mentor the next generation of advertising talent while steering the agency's creative output.
Expertise & education
Expertise
Education
- BA, Harvard University
Speaking topics
Recognition
Notable achievements
- Co-created the 'Got Milk?' campaign (1993), one of the most recognized advertising taglines in history
- Co-founded Goodby Silverstein & Partners in 1983, growing it into a globally recognized creative agency
- GS&P named Agency of the Year multiple times by Ad Age, Adweek, and Campaign
- Inducted into the One Club Creative Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame
Awards
Publications
- Jeff Goodby has contributed essays and commentary to industry publications including Adweek and Ad Age