Gary Steele Managing Partner
Arnold Worldwide
Gary W. Steele is currently a Managing Partner at Arnold Worldwide. He is a member of the Domestic Operating Board with responsibility for Arnold’s McDonald’s business.
Before his role at Arnold, Gary was Executive Vice President, WorldGroup, where he was responsible for managing an integrated retail communications platform, in addition to heading up the Wendy’s business.
From 1991 until joining McCann, Gary served as Managing Director of Bates USA’s dedicated Retail unit. In addition to soliciting new business and expanding the group, he had worldwide account management responsibility for the agency’s Wendy’s International business and the CVS/pharmacy business. Steele was instrumental in the globalization of the Wendy’s brand worldwide.
Prior to joining Bates, Steele worked for 16 years at the J. Walter Thompson Company in Los Angeles and New York, where he was a Senior Vice President, Account Director. Steele joined JWT in 1975, shortly after graduating from UCLA where he majored in Political Science and History. Blue chip clients included Ford Motor Company, Burger King, Unilever, Eastman Kodak, Miller Brewing Company, Reynolds Metals Company and Ragu Foods.
Steele currently sits on the Effie steering committee and is a past member of the New York and Los Angeles Ad Clubs. He has also been involved with the Association of National Advertisers. Steele has worked behind the scenes for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and his pro-bono efforts include the Los Angeles Bicentennial and, more recently, Fashion District BID.
Steele and his wife live in Manhattan. An avid golfer and chef, he also works out regularly and enjoys racquet sports. Steele loves to relax and enjoy a great bottle of wine and a fine cigar.