Lee Simpson

Product Strategist + Innovation Leader

Hello. My name is Lee Simpson. I am a product strategist and innovation leader with over two decades of experience in design, technology, and business.

Originally from the UK and now based in Los Angeles, I have dedicated my career to developing and launching products and services for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. My work is driven by a commitment to innovation, a deep understanding of consumer behavior, and a relentless pursuit of new ideas.

My journey began after high school when I founded Rebelo, a fashion brand and art collective that championed independent artists and designers. Rebelo successfully bridged the gap between creativity and commerce, launching several successful collections and hosting numerous exhibitions featuring international artists.

In 2006, I established a boutique design and development studio specializing in digital design and e-commerce for commercial art galleries. This venture eventually expanded to serve major clients across various sectors, including Virgin Casinos, the NHS, BBC, and Reckitt Benckiser. During this period, I also collaborated with Ostmodern, a leading design agency in the media streaming space. I played a pivotal role in creating OTT platforms and content management systems for major broadcasters like ITV and Channel 4.

In 2012, I joined The Guardian News & Media, where I led the development of "Composer," a proprietary tool enabling journalists to author digital-first stories quickly and creatively. I also contributed to the launch of theguardian.com’s flexible design framework, which enhanced the site’s global reach and supported the organization’s digital-first ambitions.

In 2014, I relocated to New York to join the award-winning product studio ustwo. There, I helped position the company as a global leader in audience experiences and fan engagement for the entertainment industry, leading strategy for key clients such as YouTube, Netflix, Warner Bros, and Comcast.

In 2020, I founded smpsn, a Los Angeles-based strategy and innovation consultancy that helps brands in entertainment, retail, and healthcare launch groundbreaking new products. Our clients include Fox Entertainment, Samsung, NBCUniversal, and Google.

In 2024, I launched Creator Playground, a platform designed to empower content creators by providing them with the tools and support they need to build sustainable brands and businesses.

Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to understanding cultural evolution and human needs, guided by a belief in the power of meaningful innovation to create lasting impact.

I am passionate about collaborating with experts and visionaries. As a lifelong culture enthusiast with a passion for music, television, art, and gaming, I bring a unique perspective, striving to build products that resonate deeply with customers, audiences, and fans.

For more information about me or my work, please get in touch.

Clients

  • 7-Eleven
  • Netflix
  • Salesforce
  • YouTube
  • Warner Bros.
  • Snapple
  • PetSmart
  • Paramount
  • Lowe's
  • Exact Sciences
  • AdventHealth
  • Channel 4
  • Volta Charging
  • AT&T
  • Post Cereals
  • NHS
  • Exceptional Alien
  • Sidewalk Labs
  • Zäbka
  • Unity Technologies
  • BBC
  • Comcast
  • The Guardian
  • Macmillan Cancer Support
  • ITV
  • Fox Entertainment
  • American Express
  • NBCUniversal
  • Samsung
  • Cedars Sinai
  • Reckitt
  • Chubb Insurance
  • Renew
  • Google
  • CreatorDAO
  • GoodRx
  • Selfmade
  • PrepTrack
  • Johnson Controls
  • ABC

Partners

  • Instrument
  • Elephant
  • Cactus
  • B-Reel
  • Deutsch LA
  • For People
  • Handsome
  • Ostmodern
  • Product Inc
  • Siberia
  • Raw Materials
  • uneo
  • WeLanded

Writing