For New York-based advertising executive Matthew Low, continuous personal and professional growth has been the driving force behind his career. He recently completed Harvard Business School Online’s yearlong Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB) program—an experience he says shaped his leadership approach and future goals.
For Low, success in CLIMB involved listening to peers’ viewpoints, embracing being busy, and learning to be comfortable with a little bit of fear.
From Early Marketing Fascination to Industry Leader
Low’s interest in marketing began early. As a child playing youth sports, his favorite part of the season wasn’t just the game; it was going to Sports Authority to pick out new gear. Even then, he was fascinated by how buying decisions were influenced by the products’ design, packaging, and displays.
“I wanted to play a part in that decision,” Low says.
After graduating from Syracuse University, Low interned at BBDO, a global advertising agency headquartered in New York City. That internship turned into a full-time job. In the 10 years since, Low has earned several accolades, including being named to Forbes’ 2022 “30 Under 30” Marketing and Advertising list. Today, he’s a senior vice president and creative director at BBDO.
Low says his job combines his love for social media with his fascination for culture. His work spans “everything from a single tweet to TV commercials and 360 campaigns.” One of his favorite projects was when he worked to turn social media star Charli D’Amelio’s favorite drink into an official menu item at Dunkin’.
When many advertisers were laid off in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Low launched the podcast Bouncing Back, where he prompted marketers who had lost their jobs to share their stories and promote themselves to companies looking for talent. Of his roughly 150 episodes, he estimates that 90 to 95 percent of his featured guests landed jobs.
The Decision to Enroll in CLIMB
Seeking to expand his skill set, Low enrolled in CLIMB to gain a stronger grasp of data and financial strategy.
“Creatives are often kind of scared of numbers,” he admits. But he saw CLIMB’s finance elective as a way to stand out. “Being able to read balance sheets and earnings reports makes me a much better creative partner for my clients. By truly understanding their business, I’m not only able to concept big ideas that I know will make an impact, but I also have an easier time justifying and selling through the work.”
Related: How to Choose Your CLIMB Electives
CLIMB’s flexibility is another reason Low chose the program. With a demanding job that involves long hours and frequent travel, he says, “Moving at my own pace and being fully online was a game changer.”
He adds that the case method helped bring CLIMB’s lessons to life. The real-world business examples from the CEO of brewing company Heineken in Leading with Finance and the co-CEO of wedding planning website Zola in Personal Branding were particularly valuable.
“Learning from people who have done it—and done it well—was really great,” he says.
Embracing Growth, Leadership, and the Power of Discomfort
For Low, CLIMB reinforced his commitment to career growth, even at a level that often requires work well beyond standard hours.
“It affirmed my desire to become a leader and continue moving up the ranks to a C-suite executive one day,” Low says. “I found myself so excited to get home from a long day of work and jump into the case method or talk to my peers, which proved to me that I really do love pushing myself.”
He aims to continue advancing at BBDO, applying CLIMB’s leadership lessons to drive innovation for his teams and clients.
“CLIMB has shaped the way I think and how I want to be a leader,” Low reflects. “Making sure I listen, surrounding myself with smart people, and embracing teamwork—those are all things I want to prioritize and focus on every day.”
And for Low, the most meaningful career growth often comes with a necessary dose of discomfort.
“Being scared is a good thing,” he says. “If you’re never scared in your career, you aren’t pushing hard enough.”
Do you want to develop a robust set of vital, forward-looking business skills to grow as a leader? Explore our yearlong Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB) program, comprising seven courses for leading in the modern business world. Download the CLIMB brochure to learn more about its curriculum, admissions requirements, and benefits.
