Experience: Advertising executive, entrepreneur, teaching and the arts.  

Kalis started his advertising career as a copywriter with Leo Burnett in Chicago, rising to VP Creative Director for his work on United Airlines, Procter & Gamble, Nestle’s, and U.S. Savings Bonds.  He then moved to Los Angeles as creative head for Young & Rubicam joint ventures with Dentsu and HavasConseil, working on Kraft Foods, KFC, Hewlett-Packard, Federal Express, Nissin Cup O’ Noodles and Sanyo.  

His entrepreneurial interest led him to found what became Kalis & Associates, one of the top independent agencies on the West Coast. From the launch of eToys and Korn/Ferry Futurestep.com, to STAGG® Chili, Hormel Foods, Wetzel’s Pretzels and Starbucks Coffee, Kalis has played a significant role in building brand equity among diverse businesses. 

A major win was the Jump Start educational software brand. The CEO was Bill Gross, who went on to find Idealab, one of the first incubators. In its 2000 year-end roundup, the Los Angeles Business Journal called the Kalis agency an Internet powerhouse. That first tech boom also began Murray Kalis’s angel investing career, advising a number of startups on marketing and advertising. 

In August 2007, Kalis & Associates was acquired by RIESTER, the fastest growing advertising agency in the western United States. Specializing in Packaged Goods and Retail, the RIESTER-KALIS division won HERDEZ® Salsa and Hormel Foods MegaMex divison.  

Today, Kalis consults on advertising strategy and creative direction. 

Achievements/Honors: In addition to a term as Chairman of Worldwide Partners, Inc., the leading global network of owner-operated advertising agencies with over ninety agencies in forty-six countries and 5,500 employees, Kalis was elected to the Board of NASDAQ traded People’s Bank of California, where he served until its acquisition. He is an active member of Tech Coast Angels, the largest angel investor group in the US. 

He has twice been a member of the American delegation to the International Advertising Film Festival in Cannes, as well as a juror for the Golden Hammer Awards, held in Latvia by the Baltic States Advertising Federation. He is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and a judge for the Emmy Awards. Advertising awards include Cannes, Clios, Addys, NY Art Directors, One Show, Beldings and more. 

Kalis is a published author and produced screenwriter, and has paintings and prints in public and private collections. His one-act play ‘The Mating Dance’ won Best In Fest at New York’s Fresh Faces Festival. He is also listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in the World. 

During the Cold War and Vietnam Era, Kalis served as a US Army officer in Psychological Operations. Prior to his advertising career, he taught on the faculty of Midwestern College, a four-year liberal arts college, and was Chairman of the Art Department.  

Education:  BS Communications in Advertising, U of Illinois; Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Painting, Drake U; Continuing Education at UC Berkeley and Oxford University, England