David Gifford is a digital strategist who derives a large portion of his digital DNA from his origins as a self-taught programmer conflicting with a degree in theater from Carnegie-Mellon. The disparate approaches of these two disciplines have been a theme of his work ever since.

New York City-based, David passed the bubble years co-founding the digital agency coolfire.interactive, making the leap from traditional technology consulting to the world of agencies, design consultancy, advertising, and the startup experience. coolfire grew up to multiple office in the US and UK, and was acquired by WPP, where David was a Managing Director.

After a long run consulting to other digital design agencies, including stints at frog, Organic and Schematic (now Possible), David has returned to his roots as a developer, working on iOS projects. David debuted an alternative Facebook client, Roundup, which focused primarily on enhancing user control of the social stream and privacy settings. He is currently working on two new iOS apps, one in quiet mode and the other a mobile client for the early-stage productivity tool, Cardsmith.

I lead strategy on two big programs at Razorfish: rethinking Aviva's digital customer experience, and relaunching Unilever's "all things hair" publishing proposition.

I am particularly interested in the way intelligent services are altering our experiences of the world; both in terms of the opportunities that presents and the ethical questions it raises.

I have a pretty broad background. I studied physics and philosophy at undergrad then media and communications for my masters. Prior to working in strategy, I founded "Graduate Promotions" an ambient marketing business. Recently I has helped my wife launch her womenswear label "Teija".