Background

My name is Lee Simpson. I am a product strategist and founder based in Los Angeles, with two decades of experience helping teams build digital products, launch new ventures, and navigate moments of growth and change. My work sits at the intersection of technology, culture, and business, focused on turning complex ideas into clear, practical outcomes.

Today, I split my time between independent consulting and building Creator Playground, a company I founded in 2024 to support independent creators and artists. We’re developing tools and platforms that make the operational side of creative work more scalable, more sustainable, and more aligned with how creators actually work.

In my consulting work, I partner with startups, scale-ups, and global brands — often in media, technology, healthcare, and retail. That includes companies like Netflix, Google, Samsung, and YouTube, as well as mission-driven organizations and early-stage teams. I’ve helped shape product strategy, develop new capabilities, and guide teams through ambiguity with a focus on clarity, momentum, and long-term impact.

Before shifting to independent work, I spent six years at ustwo, where I led product strategy for clients across the U.S. and Europe. I worked closely with executive and product teams to explore new ventures, launch digital platforms, and bring more agility into legacy systems. Prior to that, I was a product lead at The Guardian, where I helped redesign theguardian.com and led the development of internal tools for editors and journalists.

Earlier in my career, I ran a digital studio focused on design and development for creative and cultural organizations, and founded Rebelo, a fashion label and art collective that launched multiple collections and group exhibitions across Europe.

Alongside client work, I’ve advised several early-stage companies and mentored programs like Ignite and Capitol Records Innovation Lab. I’ve spoken at events including VidCon, New York Media Week, and Northside Innovation Festival, and have taught with HyperIsland, General Assembly, and The Guardian Masterclasses. My writing has been featured in Adweek, Core77, and Communication Arts, and I’ve served as a judge for the IADAS Awards and Telly Awards.

Clients

• 7-Eleven
• ABC
• AdventHealth
• American Express
• AT&T
• B-Reel
• BBC
• Cactus
• Cedars Sinai
• Channel 4
• Chubb Insurance
• Comcast
• CreatorDAO
• Deutsch LA
• Elephant
• Exact Sciences
• Exceptional Alien
• For People
• Fox Entertainment
• Function Health
• GoodRx
• Google
• Instrument
• ITV
• Johnson Controls
• Keurig Dr Pepper
• Lowe’s
• Macmillan Cancer
• NBCUniversal
• Netflix
• NHS
• Ostmodern
• Paramount
• PetSmart
• Post Cereals
• PrepTrack
• Product Inc
• Raw Materials
• Reckitt
• Renew
• Salesforce
• Samsung
• Selfmade
• Siberia
• Sidewalk Labs
• The Guardian
• uneo
• Unity
• Virgin Casino
• Volta Charging
• Warner Bros.
• WeLanded
• YouTube
• Żabka

Experience

Advisor

Speaker

Judge

Interviews