Milt Gossett joined Compton Advertising in 1949, became a copywriter in 1951, vice president, associate creative director in 1961, president in 1968, chief executive officer in 1975 and chairman in 1977. As a result of a merger with the UK advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi, Gossett became chairman and CEO of the combined organization.
Gossett helped to build what became Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Worldwide, into one of the world’s largest advertising networks, with billings of almost $4 billion - with parent company and subsidiary offices across the United States - and associate agencies in 64 countries around the world.
Gossett has been a pioneer in the area of diversity, serving as an ambassador for the advertising industry in recruiting minority talent. From 1989 to 2004, Gossett held the Milt Gossett Advertising Workshop has introduced dozens of multicultural college students to advertising by bringing them to New York for an intensive two-day visit to agencies and other industry businesses. In recognition of his efforts, Gossett was selected as one of the first recipients of the AAF diversity achievement award.
Despite his corporate responsibilities, Gossett always considered himself one of the creatives and has many major campaigns to his credit.
Gossett is a member of the board of the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration. He is a retired director of the Advertising Council, and a consultant to the board of the American Advertising Federation.
Gossett is national chairman of Religion in American life. He served on the board of directors of the National Center for Health Education. He was adviser to the Center for Health Communication of The Harvard School of Public Health, and served on the Dean’s Advisory Committee. In addition, he was a consultant to the American Foundation for Aids Research.
Milt Gossett was educated in mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology. He also attended Northwestern University Midshipman School, where he received a commission in the United States Naval Reserve. He served in the Pacific with the 7th Fleet during World War II.