• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, April 10, 2016

In 1971, Roy Spence helped found the now well-known Austin ad agency GSD&M. Over 40 years later, Spence, on Monday, will be inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. He will be the first Austin advertising professional to receive the distinguished recognition.

Spence's induction follows the induction of two other Texas advertising professionals; Dallas ad exec Liener Temerlin and Southwest Airlines Founder Herb Kelleher.

Of his induction, Spence said, “When I got the call I was nominated and got in, I couldn’t quite grasp it. It’s a super honor. I will accept it on behalf of my partners, our firm and the city of Austin.”

GSD&M is famous for many things including the work it did for Southwest in its early days and the ant-littering campaign "Don't Mess With Texas."

Of Spence's influence, GSD&M CEO Duff Stewart said, “Over the years, GSD&M developed the reputation as an agency you didn’t want to pitch against. With ‘Reverend Roy’ in the room, the magic flowed. You were buying whatever he was selling.”