Freeman F. Gosden Jr.

At the request of Publicis Groupe's CEO, Maurice Lévy, Freeman was my mentor when I was asked to run the Publicis Direct Marketing operation in Europe. He taught me everything I know, and for that I will be forever grateful. One of his most compelling lessons concerned interviewing candidates for management positions. Freeman would ask them what a "platen" is.

Some candidates would reply positively and enthusiastically with some answer that had nothing to do with the right definition,...

I met Freeman working with a mutual friend as Freeman helped consult for us at Shell Oil. He was quick, to the point and visionary. He had a let's get it done approach. We will miss you Freeman. Thank you for being a part of my life.

Freeman was a wonderful man and mentor and he will on live in my heart. He taught me so much at SHG, and I was was truly honored when he asked me to take over FCB Direct when he retired. I wasn't quite certain I could fill his shoes, but he always there with advice, encouragement, and compassion. Those years, and remembering those "Freemanisms", helped me get to where I am today. He'll aways be the "Big Guy" to a cadre of the "young pups" he brought up in our business. Freeman, you will be...