Allen Rosenshine has been recognized by Advertising Age as one of the hundred most influential people in advertising over the past century. He joined BBDO in 1965 as a copywriter and came up through the creative ranks to become chief executive of BBDO Worldwide in 1985. In 1986, he spearheaded what Time magazine called “advertising’s big bang”- the creation of Omnicom Group, now the largest and most successful marketing communications company in the world. Allen currently serves as chairman of BBDO Worldwide, having turned over CEO responsibilities in 2005. Today, BBDO is one of the world’s largest advertising agencies with companies in 78 countries spanning all regions of the globe, and received numerous notable recognitions for their creativity and effectiveness while under Allen’s leadership.
Beyond BBDO, Allen is widely recognized as an advocate for advertising agencies and their unique ability to build enduring brands for clients. He was president of the jury at the 1991 International Advertising Festival of Cannes, considered the most prestigious of advertising industry award shows. He has also served on the board of directors for both the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the International Advertising Association. Allen is currently a member of the creative review committee of the Advertising Council and has been on its board and executive committee. A founding member of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Allen is now vice chairman and executive creative director of the organization.
Allen was born in New York City in 1940 and graduated from Columbia College. He taught at Brooklyn College and worked as a copywriter at J.B. Rundle Advertising before joining BBDO.
He is married, has four children, and lives in New York City.