Don't Mess With Hillary: Spence Takes Larger Role in Clinton Campaign

Roy Spence, the Austin advertising legend and co-founder of the GSD&M ad agency, has recently taken a more prominent role in the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.

Spence is a long-time friend of the Clintons and has hosted fund-raising events for them at his Austin home. He had been active early in the campaign, but began to take on an even greater role last week following the Iowa caucuses.

As the leader of GSD&M, Spence crafted the Texas anti-litter campaign "Don't Mess With Texas" and worked with Southwest Airlines on their "You Are Now Free To Move About The Country" messaging.

Late last year, Spence set out to walk from New Hampshire, through the Northeast, to Pennsylvania as a way to "reach out and celebrate the goodness of America". He started a website, Walking with Roy, to document his travels.

Spence isn't the only Austinite with a major role in a presidential campaign this year. Mark McKinnon is a top media adviser for Republican John McCain.