DAVID LEIDER:
 
GREG AUNER




 
 
 
 
 
CEO and Founder of Gas Station TV (GSTV) in Oak Park. With more than 20 years in digital media, and automotive, consumer-packaged goods, retail and technology experience, Leider is a pioneer in this emerging field. As CEO of GSTV, Leider leads business development strategy, driving national advertising for the company and ensuring its continued growth. He successfully launched GSTV in several major U.S. markets and is spearheading GSTV’s launch nationwide in the top 12 U.S. media markets by the end of 2007 and the top 25 media markets within the next two years. Leider was most recently in senior management with Yahoo Inc., where he had sales, strategy, marketing, and public relations oversight for automotive, consumer-packaged goods, pharmaceutical and travel categories. His previous experience includes senior-level positions at JWT, Doner and Organic. In those companies, he managed client relationships, business operations and marketing integration for automotive, consumer-packaged goods, retail and financial brands, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Campbell Soup Brands, Kohl's, Canadian Tire, and Comerica. Outside the office, Leider serves on the boards of the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Camp-Mak-A-Dream. He received his bachelor’s degree in media organization and analysis from the University of Michigan.


WHERE BORN: "Detroit."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "My parents and siblings. My parents created an environment of learning and never said not to try something. My siblings all enabled me to participate in what they were doing, personal or work-related, even though I was very young."

LAST BOOK READ: "1776 by David McCullough."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Thoughtful, reliable, determined."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "Digital, out-of-home television will become a dominant medium in the next five years as traditional media continues to lose effectiveness. Gas Station TV is demonstrating to marketers that TV off the couch is a compelling way to engage consumers with brand messaging and drive action."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "Bluetooth, because I love the wireless mouse and keyboard in the office and love the hands-free features while driving."

FAVORITE PLACE: "Toronto."

FAVORITE HOBBY: "Golf, biking, thinking."

FAVORITE FOOD: "Fresh baked bread."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "Making the perfect box of macaroni and cheese."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "It’s not necessary to be remembered, but if I am, I’d like to be known as a good listener."

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.