David Bell

David Bell is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of True North Communications Inc., a leading global communications holding company, with over 300 operations in 83 countries.

True North Communications comprises major advertising agencies: Foote, Cone & Belding Worldwide, Bozell Group, and Temerlin McClain.

True North Diversified Companies is also part of True North. A leading diversified services operation, it has a number of strong brands across a spectrum of communications. Among them are public relations agency BSMG Worldwide; TN Media; global marketing services group Marketing Drive Worldwide; multicultural marketer New America Strategies Group; Wellness Worldwide; and R/GA Interactive.

David had been President and Chief Executive Officer of Bozell Worldwide, a leading advertising agency. Earlier, he served as President of Bozell's Atlantic and Midwest divisions.

David Bell came to Bozell in 1975, when it acquired Knox Reeves Advertising Ð where he had been President since 1972. Prior to that, he was an Executive Vice President, the agency's youngest Vice President (at 25) and an Account Executive. He began his career at Leo Burnett in its Executive Development Program from 1965-1967.

His involvement with the communications business has spanned client service, business development, strategic acquisitions and corporate structuring, cross-communications collaboration, and overall company management. His experience on behalf of clients includes the full range of advertising categories from major packaged goods, financial services, to automotive.

A graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1965, David was President of the student body and a champion debater. He later became the college's youngest Trustee, and also serves as a Trustee of The New School for Social Research.

He was the Air National Guard Airman of the Year in 1967, and received both the Macalester College Distinguished Alumni Award and its Charter Centennial Medallion.

David served as Chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies in 1996-97. Earlier he was a two-time Chairman of the American Advertising Federation. He is currently Chairman of the Advertising Education Foundation and is a Director of the Ad Council. He also is active in the United Way and the Presbyterian Church.

David lives in Manhattan with his wife, Gail, and their children, Ashley and Andrew.