Michael Ray

Michael L. Ray is the first John G. McCoy-Banc One Corporation Professor of Creativity and Innovation and Marketing (Emeritus) at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He has produced a prolific body of work with over one hundred publications, including nine books and six state-of-the-art chapters. Among his notable works, "Creativity in Business" has been recognized as one of the nine "Greatest Business Books Ever Written" by Inc. magazine. Another book, "The Path of the Everyday Hero," received acclaim as the "Best Business Self-Help Book" by the New York Times News Service. Ray also co-authored "The Creative Spirit," which served as the companion book to the PBS series of the same name.

Ray is renowned for his expertise in new paradigm business, creativity, innovation, marketing communication, advertising, and the behavioral science approach to marketing problems. He developed Creativity in Business (CIB), an innovative learning system designed to ignite individual and organizational creativity, based on his Stanford course "Personal Creativity in Business". His academic and professional achievements have earned him a Fellowship at the World Business Academy and the prestigious Harman Award from the same institution.

Beyond academia, Ray has held directorial roles in a diverse array of companies including a major retailer, food company, catalog company, start-up airline, and three companies in the communication industry. His extensive experience and contributions to both the academic and business worlds underscore his profound impact on the fields of creativity and business innovation.