Owen Dougherty

Background

About Owen Dougherty

Owen Dougherty has been Chief Communications Officer of Grey Group, the global communications agency, since 2006. Responsible for developing and directing Grey’s global communications, including all media relations and social media behind its award-winning work, he also oversees all internal and CEO communications. In addition, he manages the agency’s outreach to the advertising, civic, business and philanthropic communities and provides client counsel on public relations and crisis communications worldwide. Owen has served as the head of worldwide communications for J. Walter Thompson, BBDO Worldwide and FCB. At Grey, he has spearheaded the agency’s wins of seven “Agency of the Year” awards from Ad Age, Adweek, Campaign and Shoot Magazine including the 2022 “Comeback Agency of the Year” title from Ad Age. A leader in ESG, he has received Titanium, Gold and Silver Cannes Lions for anti-gun violence campaigns and led Grey’s “Stand Up and Speak Out” global effort against poverty for the UN. He has launched the agency’s work in social justice that has garnered global headlines including Gillette’s “The Best a Man Can Be” shining a light on toxic masculinity as well as support for Black, LGBTQ+ rights and those with disabilities. The latest was an award-winning campaign for Ukrainian relief. Owen has written the playbook for the multimedia launch of many of the most successful and beloved Super Bowl commercials from the E-Trade Baby to the Eli Manning/Odell Beckham spot for the NFL and this year’s Pringles “Stuck In.” Owen began his career in the City of Chicago Office of the Mayor as Chief Speechwriter and Assistant Press Secretary and then worked at Burson-Marsteller in media relations, crisis communications for such clients as GE and DuPont and government affairs both foreign and domestic. He has served on the WPP Corporate Responsibility Committee, the Advertising Educational Foundation board and is a life member of the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls board in Chicago.