Editor’s Note: Supporting women should not be limited to a month. So at Reel 360 News, we have decided to amplify and promote dynamic women’s voices all year long. Today, let us introduce you to talented GALE Group Creative Director Lindsey Brand.
Lindsey Brand is a Group Creative Director at GALE with a diverse background in advertising. Her expertise spans social media, custom content, digital marketing, media, and PR, with a talent for creating ideas that resonate and drive results.
She’s worked with many world-class brands, including Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Wells, Cotton, and MilkPEP, across a variety of industries: food and beverage, healthcare, beauty, and consumer goods. Her focus is always on delivering creative, impactful work that connects with audiences.
Outside of work, Lindsey is listening to her twin three-year-old girls singing Wicked songs…again.
Let’s meet Lindsey!
What’s your origin story?
My dad was an art teacher and, from a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. I have memories of going to work with him as a child and playing in the art rooms. I was always drawn to creative projects, whether it was drawing, painting, or trying something new like knitting. As my dad taught cartooning, after school, my brother and I would watch cartoons with him. I remember a lot of Spider-Man, Dragon Ball Z, and Batman–and, of course, the Disney classics.
In high school, we were fortunate to have an art teacher who had previously worked in advertising and started a class to teach the Adobe Suite. It was in that class that I realized what I wanted to do: create. Create videos. Create ads. Create art. Make people laugh, cry, and think. Advertising allows me to do just that–connect with people in new and different creative ways.
How did you break into advertising?
A defining moment was when I started working for the social media department at the advertising agency MRY. I went from fairly traditional and digital work to exploring new social platforms, which opened me up to the rest of my career.
Who were your mentors, and how did they influence your journey?
My mom, who was always a “working mom” (a term I never quite liked, and appreciate even less now that I am one), showed me that I didn’t have to sacrifice my career, my goals, or my family. Although she worked long hours, I always felt her presence and support. She worked her way up to become a CFO, proving that it’s possible to balance both a successful career and a fulfilling family life.
What fuels your creativity?
The world changes so quickly these days–you are consistently challenged with new ways of thinking and new ways of working. It fuels me to keep pushing forward. To push the boundaries. To try something new. The best thing you can do, success or fail, is to do something no one else has.
What’s the biggest myth about women in your field?
“So you work on fashion brands?” After I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and started my career, I was often asked this question. Yes, fashion is in the name, but it’s an art school like any other with degrees in advertising, design, photography, and fine arts.
One of the biggest myths in advertising is the assumption that women are only suited to work in categories traditionally focused on women, like fashion, beauty, or lifestyle. In reality, women create impactful work across any category, whether it’s consumer goods, tech, or finance.
Name a creative risk you took that paid off.
For Bomb Pop, we wanted to go into gaming, but in order to do this, we really wanted to bring value to our gaming audience. We tapped into a trending game, Restaurant Tycoon II, to give gamers what they wanted: another item to sell at their restaurants. It was a simple idea that really paid off. Gamers loved it and made Bomb Pop the number-one-selling food item in Roblox ever!
What’s your take on the rise of AI?
Work smarter, not harder. AI cannot do what creatives do, but it can help us do it faster. Making still images into videos, creating sizing variations, applying a design look to many assets, proofreading–these are all smart ways to use AI that speed up timelines.
What’s a piece of advice from another woman you carry with you?
From my three-year-old daughter: “You’re a beautiful human.” I remind myself every day.
Are you rebooting Soul Train, American Bandstand or MTV Spring Break?
MTV Spring Break–not for the partying, which was never my scene, but for the destinations. I would highlight local food and music around the world, celebrating different cultures, body types, and lifestyles. In a mini docu-style series, I would follow Spring Breakers on their travels. This allows showcasing local up-and-coming artists from different cities, in addition to mainstream acts.
How do you balance ambition with self-care?
When you’re ambitious, it’s hard to make time for self-care. It’s tough to resist taking that client call while on PTO or stopping yourself from answering emails during dinner. Before I had children, I would do it all the time. What I’ve realized now is that’s how you burn out.
Now, I take my PTO as seriously as my work. What you do for self-care in your off time usually ends up leading to inspiration, fresh ideas, and a recharged brain. There’s a reason you have your best ideas in the shower–no pressure, no deadlines, just time to let your mind wander.
You’re writing a memoir. What’s the title?
Re-branding
The story behind the Brand.
A brand new Brand.
I’ve got a million of these–the name helps.
Go-to Karaoke song.
Mahna Mahna from The Muppet Show.
Lindsey’s Social Media:
Instagram: @Lindsey_nyc
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-brand/
To see who else is a Reel Woman, click here.
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