ADWEEK Article: Colleagues remember Knipp, who passed away last week
Greg Knipp, CEO of Omnicom’s multicultural advertising agency Dieste, passed away July 27, 2025, at age 57. Remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering belief in others, and commitment to inclusivity, Knipp’s impact on the industry and those who knew him was profound.
Leading with empathy, his colleagues remember him for guiding the agency with clarity, compassion, and strategic acumen. A Midwesterner through and through, Knipp brought humility and humor to the high-stakes world of advertising. He believed in doing the work, elevating others, and letting the results speak for themselves.
Over two decades at Dieste, Knipp helped transform the agency into one of the country’s most respected and awarded multicultural shops—winning Cannes Lions, Effies, and other recognition across the industry for creative excellence and strategic insight.
Under Knipp’s leadership, Dieste embraced “data equity” as a foundation for meaningful, measurable impact. He championed diversity not just in client work, but in the agency’s culture, believing that inclusion was essential to both business growth and human progress. He often said the business was about people first—and he acted like it.
Knipp led with humility, mentoring those around him not with grandstanding, but with trust and presence.
“Greg was an extraordinary leader, a kind and generous person, and a cherished friend,” Stacie Davis, CFO at Dieste, told ADWEEK. “He touched countless lives with his vision and heart. Words cannot express how deeply the Dieste family will miss him.”
His legacy extends far beyond the office. He was a devoted husband and father, often beaming with pride when speaking about his sons, Daniel and Andrew. Friends recalled long lunches filled with stories of parenting, sports, and hard-won wisdom.
Knipp is survived by his wife Frances, and sons Daniel and Andrew. He will be remembered not only for what he built, but for how he made people feel: seen, trusted, valued, loved.
Tributes Pour In
From those who worked closest with him, tributes describe a man whose leadership transformed not only a company, but careers, families, and lives.
“He believed in growing people,” said Abe Garcia, chief creative officer at Dieste. “Greg invited me to the table when I didn’t see myself as a leader. He had that uncanny ability to make everybody feel seen—and that changed my life, and my family’s life. He was the kindest person I’ve ever worked with.”
Marialejandra Urbina, chief strategy officer, credited Knipp with launching her career in the U.S. “[He] fostered an environment where I could truly thrive. His empowering words… ‘I’m good with whatever you decide’… encouraged me to trust my instincts,” she said.
Franco Caballero, executive director of integrated strategy, called Knipp the “most consequential architect” of his career.
“His leadership was constant and unconditional; he bestowed trust and belief to a degree I never thought possible I could deserve… all while doing the same for so many others, and pushing us to be generous and pay it forward.”
For Tony Dieste, the agency’s founder and executive chairman, the loss is both professional and personal. “Greg was a great strategist and an even better human. He was a proud father, a loyal friend, and a leader who turned obstacles into opportunities. He believed that kindness and inclusion could power a company—and he proved it.”
