Consulting Articles > Consulting Firms > Lippincott Consulting: Careers, Culture, and Growth Opportunities

Lippincott Consulting is one of the world’s leading brand and innovation consultancies, combining strategy, design, and experience to shape some of the most iconic brands in history. From developing the Campbell’s soup label to redefining modern corporate identities, Lippincott brand consultancy continues to influence how companies connect with customers. Whether you’re curious about Lippincott careers, its culture, or how the firm fits within Oliver Wyman, this guide breaks it all down.

In this article, we will explore Lippincott Consulting’s history, services, career paths, salary insights, and what it’s really like to work at this creative consulting powerhouse.

TL;DR - What You Need to Know

  • Lippincott Consulting is a global brand and innovation consultancy helping companies define, design, and deliver distinctive customer experiences across industries.
  • Founded in 1943, Lippincott brand consultancy has evolved under Oliver Wyman to combine strategic insight with creative execution worldwide.
  • Working at Lippincott offers a collaborative culture, strong mentorship, and career growth for consultants interested in both creativity and business strategy.
  • The Lippincott internship provides real client exposure and often leads to full-time roles for students and graduates in strategy and design.
  • Lippincott consulting salaries range from $70K to $120K, with fast career progression, professional development, and diverse global exit opportunities.

What Is Lippincott Consulting and What Is It Known For?

Lippincott Consulting is a global brand and innovation consultancy known for helping companies define, design, and deliver memorable brand experiences. Combining strategic insight with creative execution, Lippincott Consulting works across industries to shape iconic identities and customer experiences that drive long-term business growth and differentiation.

Lippincott Consulting sits at the intersection of strategy, design, and experience. The firm partners with major organizations to transform how they present themselves to the world, whether through visual identity, customer experience, or innovation strategy.

Founded in New York, Lippincott has built a reputation for bridging analytical thinking with creative design. Its multidisciplinary teams include strategists, designers, and marketing experts who collaborate to solve complex brand challenges.

Lippincott is recognized for shaping some of the most enduring brand identities in history. The firm’s portfolio spans diverse sectors including financial services, technology, healthcare, retail, and hospitality.

Key areas where Lippincott Consulting is most recognized include:

  • Brand strategy and positioning for global corporations
  • Experience and innovation design that enhances customer engagement
  • Visual identity development for large-scale rebrands
  • Data-informed insights that connect business goals with customer needs

What sets Lippincott apart is its balance of business strategy and creative storytelling. The firm helps clients move beyond visual branding to craft meaningful, measurable brand experiences that reflect long-term vision and purpose.

The History and Evolution of Lippincott

Lippincott was founded in 1943 in New York as one of the first firms to combine business strategy with design thinking. Over eight decades, it evolved into a global brand consultancy recognized for shaping corporate identities and experience strategies that define how leading companies communicate, innovate, and grow.

Lippincott’s story began with a simple mission: to connect creative expression with business purpose. Its early work in visual identity design set new standards for brand strategy consulting, influencing how companies build long-term trust with customers.

During the mid-20th century, Lippincott became known for its bold rebranding projects that helped legacy companies modernize. By the 1980s and 1990s, it had expanded beyond design into broader areas such as marketing strategy, innovation, and experience transformation.

In 2003, Lippincott joined Oliver Wyman Group, part of Marsh McLennan, strengthening its strategic consulting capabilities and global reach. This integration allowed the firm to operate at the intersection of business analysis and creative execution, offering clients end-to-end solutions for brand development and customer engagement.

Today, Lippincott operates across nine offices worldwide, from New York and London to Seoul and Singapore. Its continued growth reflects how brand strategy has become a critical part of corporate transformation and digital reinvention.

Milestones in Lippincott’s Evolution:

  • 1943: Founded in New York by Gordon Lippincott
  • 1950s to 1970s: Created several iconic corporate identities still recognized today
  • 1980s to 2000s: Expanded into innovation and marketing strategy
  • 2003: Became part of Oliver Wyman, enhancing its consulting depth
  • 2010s to 2020s: Global expansion and focus on experience-led brand transformation

Lippincott’s history illustrates the rise of branding as a strategic discipline, positioning it as a pioneer in merging creativity with commercial strategy, a model many firms later emulated.

Who Owns Lippincott and How It Fits Within Oliver Wyman

Lippincott is owned by Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm within Marsh McLennan. As Oliver Wyman’s brand and innovation consultancy, Lippincott combines creative expertise with strategic consulting capabilities, enabling clients to connect business transformation with brand purpose across industries and geographies.

Lippincott’s ownership under Oliver Wyman strengthens its ability to serve complex, multinational clients. By being part of Marsh McLennan, the parent company that also owns Mercer and Guy Carpenter, Lippincott benefits from vast data resources, industry expertise, and access to top-tier consulting talent.

Within this ecosystem, Lippincott operates as the creative and customer experience arm of Oliver Wyman. Its teams collaborate on projects that link brand identity with business performance, often partnering on engagements that span corporate strategy, innovation design, and digital transformation.

This structure gives Lippincott a unique advantage: it can pair the analytical depth of management consulting with the emotional resonance of design. Clients gain unified solutions that address both brand expression and business growth.

While Lippincott maintains its own brand identity and culture, its integration with Oliver Wyman allows for seamless knowledge sharing, co-creation, and access to a global client base. This partnership has positioned Lippincott as a leader in brand transformation consulting.

What Does Lippincott Do? Practice Areas and Industries

Lippincott Consulting provides brand strategy, design, and innovation services that help organizations build stronger customer connections and long-term business value. Its core practice areas span brand development, experience strategy, innovation consulting, marketing, and employee engagement, serving industries from technology and finance to healthcare and retail.

Lippincott’s consulting model integrates creativity with analytics, allowing clients to transform their brands from the inside out. The firm partners with companies to define brand purpose, design visual identities, and shape customer experiences that reinforce credibility and differentiation.

Key Practice Areas at Lippincott Consulting:

  • Brand development: Crafting strategy, naming, and messaging frameworks that define how a brand competes and communicates.
  • Experience strategy: Designing customer journeys and touchpoints that align with business goals and emotional impact.
  • Innovation consulting: Helping clients reimagine products, services, and experiences that fuel long-term growth.
  • Design and identity: Developing cohesive visual systems that express brand purpose.
  • Marketing and activation: Connecting brand strategy to go-to-market execution.
  • Employee engagement: Aligning culture and internal communication with external brand promises.

Lippincott’s industry reach is equally diverse. Its consultants collaborate with global leaders in:

  • Technology and telecommunications
  • Financial services and fintech
  • Healthcare and life sciences
  • Retail, travel, and hospitality
  • Energy, logistics, and professional services

This breadth of experience enables Lippincott to identify emerging trends across industries, particularly in digital transformation, sustainability, and customer experience, and translate them into actionable brand strategies.

The firm’s multidisciplinary approach makes it a trusted advisor for organizations undergoing brand repositioning or market reinvention. Whether reimagining legacy corporations or helping startups scale globally, Lippincott’s work consistently links creative innovation with measurable business outcomes.

Working at Lippincott: Culture, Work-Life, and Growth

Working at Lippincott offers consultants the opportunity to combine strategic thinking with creative problem-solving in a collaborative, design-driven environment. Employees describe a culture that values curiosity, mentorship, and teamwork, while promoting professional development and exposure to high-impact projects across industries and global clients.

At its core, Lippincott fosters a people-first culture. The firm attracts individuals who are analytical yet imaginative, blending consulting discipline with creative intuition. This mix makes every project a collaborative effort between strategists, designers, and client teams.

Employees typically work on fast-paced brand and experience strategy projects that demand both rigor and innovation. The work environment is professional yet open, encouraging ideas from all levels. Consultants gain direct exposure to senior leaders and clients early in their careers, promoting continuous learning and growth.

Lippincott is known for prioritizing mentorship and development. Each new hire is paired with a coach who supports career planning, feedback, and skill-building. Internal workshops, design sprints, and cross-functional collaboration further enhance professional growth.

While workload intensity varies, most consultants describe 50-hour weeks as typical for project delivery phases. However, the firm emphasizes flexibility, hybrid collaboration, and a strong sense of community, helping balance demanding work with personal well-being.

What defines Lippincott’s work culture:

  • Collaborative environment combining creativity and strategy
  • Flat hierarchy encouraging open dialogue and shared ownership
  • Structured mentorship and clear growth paths
  • Global exposure through cross-office teams
  • Focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in project teams

For ambitious consultants seeking a balance of strategic challenge and creative freedom, Lippincott offers a rewarding environment that builds both skill and perspective.

Lippincott Internship and Early Career Opportunities

The Lippincott internship offers students and recent graduates hands-on experience in brand strategy, design, and innovation consulting. Interns work on real client projects, collaborate with senior consultants, and often convert to full-time roles. These programs provide a strong foundation for building a long-term consulting career at Lippincott.

Lippincott’s internship program is designed to immerse participants in the firm’s multidisciplinary approach from day one. Interns contribute to live projects across industries, gaining exposure to how strategy and creativity merge in real business contexts.

Most internships last 10 to 12 weeks, with placements available in major global offices such as New York, London, and Singapore. Interns may specialize in areas such as brand development, experience strategy, or innovation consulting, depending on their academic background and interests.

Participants receive structured mentorship and performance feedback throughout the program. Lippincott emphasizes learning-by-doing, ensuring interns gain practical consulting skills while understanding how design decisions connect to business outcomes.

What makes the Lippincott internship valuable:

  • Real client exposure and end-to-end project participation
  • One-on-one mentorship from senior consultants and designers
  • Collaborative, team-based environment with cross-disciplinary learning
  • Strong conversion rate to full-time analyst roles
  • Access to firmwide training, workshops, and networking sessions

Interns who perform well are often invited to return as full-time analysts, joining Lippincott’s growing global consulting team. This pathway provides early career professionals with a meaningful introduction to the world of brand and innovation consulting.

Lippincott Consulting Salary and Career Progression

Lippincott Consulting salaries range from around $70,000 for entry-level analysts to over $100,000 for senior consultants. Compensation varies by experience and location, with performance bonuses and rapid promotion opportunities for high performers. The firm offers a structured career path emphasizing mentorship, skill development, and global project exposure.

Lippincott’s compensation reflects its dual identity as a creative and consulting firm. While slightly below top management consulting salaries, pay levels remain competitive and are supplemented by professional growth and strong exit opportunities.

Typical Lippincott salary ranges:

  • Analyst / Associate Consultant: $70,000 to $85,000
  • Consultant: $82,000 to $95,000
  • Senior Consultant: $100,000 to $120,000
  • Design Specialist / Strategy Lead: $95,000 to $130,000

Bonuses are performance-based and typically add 10 to 20% to annual compensation. International offices may offer adjusted salaries depending on local cost of living.

Career Progression at Lippincott:

  • Analysts typically spend 2 to 3 years before promotion to consultant.
  • Consultants advance to senior consultant or manager in another 2 to 4 years based on project performance and leadership capability.
  • Senior consultants often lead client relationships or specialize in areas like brand strategy, innovation, or experience design.

Lippincott places strong emphasis on learning and mobility. Employees can transfer across offices or disciplines, gaining exposure to both the creative and analytical sides of consulting. This flexibility broadens skill sets and prepares consultants for diverse career trajectories.

In addition to competitive pay, the firm offers benefits such as flexible work arrangements, wellness support, and global training programs. These complement Lippincott’s reputation as a growth-oriented employer focused on long-term career development.

Lippincott Interview Process and How to Prepare

The Lippincott interview process typically includes a recruiter screening, virtual interviews, and a final “Super Day” with case studies, group discussions, and a writing exercise. Candidates are evaluated on creative thinking, structured problem-solving, and communication skills that reflect both consulting acumen and design sensibility.

Lippincott’s recruitment process is structured to assess both analytical and creative potential. Because the firm operates at the intersection of strategy and design, interviewers look for candidates who can think conceptually while applying logic and data to real business challenges.

Typical interview stages include:

  1. Initial screening: A phone or virtual interview assessing motivation, communication skills, and understanding of Lippincott’s work.
  2. First-round interview: Conducted via video call, focusing on behavioral and experience-based questions.
  3. Super Day: A full-day session with multiple rounds, including:
  • Case interview on brand or experience strategy
  • Group exercise to test collaboration
  • Writing or design-based task (depending on role)

Preparation tips for success:

  • Understand the firm’s positioning: Be ready to discuss how brand strategy connects to business performance.
  • Practice creative problem-solving: Prepare for open-ended case questions focused on brand perception or customer experience.
  • Show curiosity and design awareness: Bring examples of brands you admire and explain why they’re effective.
  • Review your portfolio or past projects: If applying for design or innovation roles, prepare to discuss your creative process.
  • Ask thoughtful questions: Demonstrate a genuine interest in how consulting and creativity coexist at Lippincott.

Successful candidates balance logic with imagination. They communicate ideas clearly, embrace collaboration, and show enthusiasm for connecting brand vision with measurable results.

Career Path, Exit Opportunities, and Alumni Network

Lippincott offers a clear career path from analyst to senior consultant, with progression based on performance, creativity, and leadership. Alumni often transition into roles in marketing, innovation, and brand management at global companies, or move into broader strategy and design leadership positions across industries.

Lippincott’s career framework blends structure with flexibility. Early-career consultants develop both analytical and creative skills through diverse project exposure, while senior roles emphasize leadership, client management, and strategic storytelling. Advancement is merit-based and supported by ongoing mentorship.

Typical career progression at Lippincott:

  • Analyst: Conducts research, data synthesis, and idea generation.
  • Consultant: Leads project workstreams and contributes to strategy and design development.
  • Senior Consultant / Manager: Oversees client engagements and mentors junior staff.
  • Director / Partner: Shapes firm strategy and drives major client relationships.

Beyond internal growth, Lippincott alumni pursue exciting opportunities in marketing, product innovation, and corporate strategy. Many move into high-profile roles such as brand directors, innovation leads, and experience design executives in Fortune 500 companies. Others transition into entrepreneurship or join other consulting firms, leveraging Lippincott’s strong reputation.

Notable alumni career directions include:

  • Leadership roles in tech, finance, and healthcare companies
  • Brand and marketing positions at major consumer brands
  • Founders of boutique design and innovation consultancies
  • Senior strategists in global creative agencies

The firm’s alumni network remains active and connected, often mentoring current employees and collaborating on future projects. This community reinforces the long-term professional value of a Lippincott career.

Is Lippincott a Good Place to Build a Consulting Career?

Yes, Lippincott is an excellent place to build a consulting career if you value creativity, strategic thinking, and hands-on client exposure. The firm offers a unique blend of analytical rigor and design innovation, fostering professional growth and giving consultants the opportunity to shape global brands from strategy to execution.

Lippincott stands out for those seeking a consulting role that goes beyond spreadsheets and frameworks. Its hybrid model, bridging brand strategy, design, and experience, lets consultants develop a rare combination of creative and business skills.

Career progression is transparent and mentorship-driven, with consultants encouraged to explore both strategic and creative paths. This flexibility allows individuals to specialize in areas like experience strategy, innovation consulting, or visual identity development.

Employees frequently describe the culture as collaborative and inclusive. The firm values intellectual curiosity and diverse perspectives, creating an environment where ideas are discussed openly and contributions are recognized.

Why Lippincott is a strong choice for aspiring consultants:

  • Combines creative design with data-driven strategy
  • Offers global exposure through multi-industry projects
  • Encourages mentorship and continuous learning
  • Provides strong exit opportunities to leadership or industry roles
  • Fosters a people-first, purpose-driven work environment

For candidates who want to make a tangible impact on how brands communicate and evolve, Lippincott provides both the challenge and the creative fulfillment few consulting firms can match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the Big 3 in consulting?
A: The Big 3 in consulting, McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Bain & Company, are known for their strategy expertise and global influence. Firms like Lippincott Consulting, part of Oliver Wyman, often collaborate with such top-tier consultancies on brand strategy and innovation projects.

Q: Who are the Big 4 consulting firms?
A: The Big 4 consulting firms are Deloitte, PwC, EY (Ernst & Young), and KPMG. While they focus on strategy, audit, and advisory services, Lippincott brand consultancy specializes in design and innovation consulting within Oliver Wyman’s broader advisory network.

Q: Which consulting firm pays the most?
A: Among major firms, McKinsey, BCG, and Bain typically offer the highest consulting salaries. Lippincott consulting salary packages are also competitive, reflecting its reputation as a leading creative consulting firm focused on branding and experience strategy.

Q: Is consulting a stressful career?
A: Consulting can be stressful due to tight deadlines and client demands, but firms like Lippincott Consulting emphasize work-life balance and professional development in consulting to create a more sustainable, creative work environment.

Q: What are the 7 C’s of consulting?
A: The 7 C’s of consulting, Clarity, Communication, Credibility, Connection, Creativity, Commitment, and Consistency, represent key principles for success. At Lippincott, these qualities guide brand strategy consulting and client engagement across industries.

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