Ben James is Chief Innovation Officer at GALE, a Business Agency with offices in New York, Toronto, Austin, Los Angeles, Kansas City and Bengaluru. In this role, Ben is responsible for spotting opportunities in Emerging Connections for colleagues, clients and the marketing of the agency at events like Forbes CMO Summit, CES, SXSW, in the agency’s podcast and in client and student sessions we call: Advance Party.

This work has lead to activations in social, media partnerships, entertainment and gaming for Tequila Don Julio, MilkPep, H&R Block, Wells Enterprises and The Truth Initiative.

From 2019 to 2021, Ben was Head of Creative for T Brand, the creative services division of The New York Times Advertising Department, which includes their award-winning content studio — T Brand Studio. 

He his career at Crispin Porter + Bogusky. He later went on to work for Y&R, Goodby Silverstein, CAA and was previously Chief Creative Officer at JWT New York. His work has been recognized by Cannes, One Show Entertainment, The Sundance Film Festival, CES and others. Ben has been the keynote speaker at The University of Texas’ 2024 Creative Week in New York City, the Hearst Distinguished Lecturer at Penn State University in October 2023 and has represented the agency at The 2023 Fast Company Innovation Festival and The 2024 Forbes CMO Summit.

"There has never been a more exciting time for creative business. We are creating new forms of storytelling. We have created ways to have the most powerful connection between business and people that the world has ever seen. And with this, we must create with great responsibility." 

Ben believes in the power of storytelling and the creative process that lies behind it. Throughout his career, Ben has acted as an agent for the brand voice. His work focuses on demonstrating that brand stories can be crafted in infinitely innovative ways, if they are guided by a purpose that is true to the roots of the brand. 

In 2010, his work on the Bing-produced short film "Para Fuera" was recognized at The Sundance Film Festival. His work in product design for Northwell Health was recognized at Cannes, Clios and the Jay Chiat Awards. His work for Bongiovi Acoustic Labs was recognized in product design categories at CES in 2018.