MullenLowe U.S.

MullenLowe U.S. was an American advertising and marketing communications agency headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The business began in 1970 as Mullen Advertising, founded in Wenham, Massachusetts, by Jim Mullen, a biophysicist and racing sailor. It developed from an independent New England agency into a full-service communications organization offering creative development, brand strategy, communications planning, public relations, social media, design, digital experience, behavioral-science work, and production services. The agency's early development included the appointment of Paul Silverman as its original creative director in 1973. Joe Grimaldi, who initially served as chief operating officer, later became chairman and succeeded Jim Mullen as chief executive in 1999. Edward Boches was another important early leader, serving as a partner and executive creative director. These leaders helped establish the agency's creative and entrepreneurial profile while it remained independent. Interpublic Group of Companies acquired Mullen Advertising in April 1999, when the agency was described as the largest independent agency in New England. Interpublic subsequently combined Mullen with Long Haymes Carr, a Winston-Salem, North Carolina agency, in January 2001. The combined operation was called Mullen/LHC. The agency later expanded its physical presence beyond its Massachusetts base, moving its headquarters from a manor house in Wenham to 40 Broad Street in Boston in 2009 and maintaining offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Winston-Salem. Mullen received industry recognition during the 2010s. In 2011, Advertising Age placed it third on its national A-List, while Fast Company included it among its top ten innovative marketing and advertising companies. Alex Leikikh became chief executive in December 2013, succeeding Joe Grimaldi. In May 2015, Interpublic merged Mullen with Lowe & Partners, creating MullenLowe Group. The American operation was renamed MullenLowe U.S.; Leikikh became worldwide chief executive of the newly formed group, and Lee Newman was appointed chief executive of MullenLowe U.S. Within the wider network, MullenLowe U.S. operated alongside MullenLowe Comms, Mediahub, and MullenLowe Profero. Its work included integrated advertising and communications programs for major brands, including Monster.com and E-Trade, and the agency received attention for a series of E-Trade Super Bowl advertisements built around the phrase “Don't Get Mad, Get E-Trade.” In 2022, KFC appointed MullenLowe as its creative agency of record. The agency was ultimately discontinued as a distinct brand. According to the referenced account, on December 1, 2025, MullenLowe was absorbed into TBWA and the MullenLowe brand was dissolved. Its historical importance therefore lies in the transition from a regional independent agency to an Interpublic-owned network agency and, later, in the consolidation of its operations into another global advertising network.

MullenLowe U.S. traces its origins to Mullen Advertising, established in 1970 in Wenham, Massachusetts, by Jim Mullen. Mullen, a biophysicist and racing sailor, created an agency that developed a reputation for creative advertising and integrated marketing communications. Paul Silverman joined in 1973 as the agency's original creative director. Among the early leadership group were Joe Grimaldi, initially the chief operating officer, and Edward Boches, who became a partner and executive creative director. By the late 1990s, Mullen had become the largest independent advertising agency in New England. Interpublic Group of Companies acquired the agency in April 1999. Later that year, Jim Mullen stepped down from the chief executive role, which passed to Joe Grimaldi. In January 2001, Interpublic merged Mullen with Long Haymes Carr, a Winston-Salem agency in North Carolina. The combined business adopted the name Mullen/LHC. The agency continued to operate from Massachusetts while broadening its office footprint. On June 1, 2009, it moved its headquarters from a manor house in Wenham, where it had been based for 22 years, to 40 Broad Street in Boston. It also maintained offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Winston-Salem. The business provided creative, strategic, communications, public-relations, social, design, digital, behavioral-science, and production services. Mullen's industry profile rose during the 2010s. Advertising Age placed it third on its 2011 A-List, and Fast Company included it in a ranking of innovative marketing and advertising companies. Alex Leikikh replaced Joe Grimaldi as chief executive in December 2013. In May 2015, Interpublic combined Mullen with Lowe & Partners. The transaction created MullenLowe Group, and the U.S. operation became MullenLowe U.S. Leikikh became worldwide chief executive of the new group, while Lee Newman was appointed to lead MullenLowe U.S. The American agency formed part of a broader MullenLowe network that included MullenLowe, MullenLowe Comms, Mediahub, and MullenLowe Profero. Its advertising work included Monster.com's Super Bowl campaign “When I Grow Up” and E-Trade Super Bowl advertising using the “Don't Get Mad, Get E-Trade” positioning. In 2022, KFC appointed MullenLowe as its creative agency of record. The referenced history records a final corporate and brand transition on December 1, 2025, when MullenLowe was absorbed into TBWA and dissolved as a separate brand. The agency is therefore recorded as defunct as an independent brand, although its capabilities and personnel may have continued within successor operations.

• 2025

  MullenLowe is absorbed into TBWA

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  The referenced account states that MullenLowe ceased as a standalone brand on December 1, 2025.

• 2022

  KFC agency-of-record appointment

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  KFC named MullenLowe its creative agency of record.

• 2015

  Creation of MullenLowe Group

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  Mullen and Lowe & Partners were combined, creating MullenLowe Group and the MullenLowe U.S. name.

• 2013

  Alex Leikikh becomes chief executive

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  Alex Leikikh succeeded Joe Grimaldi as chief executive of Mullen.

• 2011

  Recognition on major industry lists

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  Mullen placed third on Advertising Age's A-List and appeared among Fast Company's innovative marketing and advertising companies.

• 2009

  Headquarters moves to Boston

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  Mullen relocated from Wenham to 40 Broad Street in Boston.

• 2001

  Mullen merges with Long Haymes Carr

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  The Interpublic-owned agencies were combined under the Mullen/LHC name.

• 1999

  Interpublic acquires Mullen

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  Interpublic Group acquired Mullen Advertising, and Jim Mullen handed the chief executive role to Joe Grimaldi later that year.

• 1973

  Paul Silverman joins as creative director

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  Paul Silverman became the agency's original creative director.

• 1970

  Mullen Advertising is founded

  [1]MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org

  Jim Mullen founded the agency in Wenham, Massachusetts.

A creatively led, full-service advertising and marketing communications agency combining brand strategy, advertising, digital experience, social, public relations, design, behavioral insights, and production.

• Advertising service

  Creative advertising

  Development of advertising concepts and integrated campaigns across traditional, digital, social, and experiential channels. The agency's creative reputation was associated with high-profile brand campaigns, including Super Bowl work for Monster.com and E-Trade.

• Strategy service

  Brand strategy and communications planning

  Strategic services intended to define brand positioning, identify audiences, plan communications, and connect creative activity with broader marketing objectives.

• Digital marketing service

  Digital experience and social

  Digital experience design, social strategy, and social content formed part of the agency's broader communications offering. These capabilities supported campaigns that extended beyond conventional advertising placements.

• Marketing communications service

  Public relations, design, and production

  The agency also supplied public relations, visual design, behavioral-science input, and production services, allowing clients to coordinate multiple stages of campaign development through one communications partner.

• When I Grow Up

  United States

  Mullen created a notable Super Bowl commercial for Monster.com titled “When I Grow Up.” The campaign used children's statements about what they wanted to become to frame the employment brand's message.

  Outcome. The commercial became one of the agency's recognized pieces of work and was cited in accounts of its notable campaigns.

  Source
• Don't Get Mad, Get E-Trade

  United States

  Mullen received press attention for E-Trade Super Bowl advertising organized around the “Don't Get Mad, Get E-Trade” tagline.

  Outcome. The work contributed to the agency's public profile for high-visibility Super Bowl advertising.

  Source

• 2025

  Absorb MullenLowe into TBWAStrategy

  Background

  The referenced account describes a later consolidation of advertising-network brands.

  Action taken

  MullenLowe was absorbed into TBWA and ceased operating as a separate brand on December 1, 2025.

  Aftermath

  MullenLowe is recorded as a defunct standalone brand.

  Source

• 2022

  Become KFC's creative agency of recordOther

  Background

  KFC selected a lead creative partner for its advertising activity.

  Action taken

  KFC named MullenLowe its creative agency of record.

  Aftermath

  The appointment added a major international restaurant brand to the agency's client work.

  Source

• 2015

  Create MullenLowe GroupM&A

  Background

  Interpublic combined Mullen with Lowe & Partners as part of a broader network structure.

  Action taken

  The agencies were merged into MullenLowe Group, with the U.S. operation renamed MullenLowe U.S.

  Aftermath

  Alex Leikikh became worldwide chief executive of the group, and Lee Newman led the U.S. agency.

  Source

• 2001

  Combine Mullen with Long Haymes CarrM&A

  Background

  Interpublic sought to combine two agencies within its portfolio.

  Action taken

  Mullen was merged with Long Haymes Carr and renamed Mullen/LHC.

  Aftermath

  The combined agency operated across the Mullen and Long Haymes Carr heritage locations.

  Source

• 1999

  Join Interpublic GroupM&A

  Background

  Mullen had grown into a major independent New England agency before being acquired.

  Action taken

  Interpublic Group acquired Mullen Advertising in April 1999.

  Aftermath

  The agency became part of a multinational advertising holding company and was later combined with another Interpublic agency.

  Source

1. 1MullenLowe U.S.en.wikipedia.org