Gisela Girard

With a Bachelor’s of Arts and Political Science, and a Master of Arts and Urban Studies, Gisela Girard started as a researcher conducting commercial real estate feasibility studies, and, with her own company, she marketed international properties in the U.S.A., Mexico and Argentina. But in 1999, her strategic mind guided her in a new direction. Along with her husband Al Aguilar (a former founding partner of pioneering giant Sosa, Bromley,Aguilar & Associates), they embarked on a joint entrepreneurial journey and founded Creative Civilization–An Aguilar/Girard Agency.

As President and head of Strategic Planning at Creative Civilization, Gisela has been instrumental in injecting new blood to the client roster of the US Hispanic Market by ushering in new brands such as Cricket, Oak Farms Dairy, ING Financial Services, Sam’s Club, Guitar Center, Quest Diagnostics, American Cancer Society and Cancer Treatment Centers of America. As a telling example of the cultural fluidity of today’s America, Creative Civilization is no less than the lead agency for the NBA San Antonio Spurs–over the last 14 years.

Girard’s and Aguilar’s agency name is deeply connected to the communities they serve and belong, as well as to their proven commitment to improve them. Creative Civilization was formed at a juncture in this industry’s history in which Hispanic ad agencies were coalescing and seeking trade unity, and the Association of Hispanic Agencies (AHAA) was created to promote a strong, unified voice. Gisela also served as Chair of AHAA (today HMC, Hispanic Marketing Council).

Another example of Gisela’s leadership role and impact has been in addressing proper media audience measurement methodologies with industry giant Nielsen. For the former urban studies practitioner and entrepreneuring researcher, advertising and marketing have offered her a fertile ground to unleash her intellectual strengths. Their agency’s mantra, “Inspiration is All Around Us,” was born out of their awe-inspiring experience of walking through the marvelous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, and it is a guiding principle that continues to shape Gisela’s work.

Gisela is a recipient of many awards, including from the Public Relations Society of America, and several Addy awards. She and her agency were bestowed the prestigious national Imagen Award for “Best Portrayal of Hispanics in TV Advertising.” She has been included as “101 Most Influential Leaders in Hispanic U.S.A.” by Latino Leaders Magazine, the “Women’s Leadership Award for Business Growth”by the San Antonio Business Journal and inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame for Communications.

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