Ellis Verdi - President - DeVito/Verdi

Ellis Verdi is a prominent American advertising and marketing executive best known as the Founder and President of DeVito/Verdi, an independent, award-winning agency based in New York City. Professional Career & DeVito/Verdi Early Career: Verdi spent the first half of his career on the "client side," holding positions at PepsiCo (managing Mountain Dew and diet brands), American Home Products Ltd., and the Grey Group, where he served as Vice President of Account Management. Agency Founding: In 1989, he launched his own firm, Ellis Verdi & Partners, as a one-man operation from his living room, famously making over 100 cold calls a day to build his client list. Partnership: In 1993, he partnered with creative director Sal DeVito to form DeVito/Verdi. Under his leadership, the agency has been named "The Best Agency in the U.S." six times by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As).