It’s official: Cory Basso announces September retirement from H-E-B
After 17 years with H-E-B and over 36 years working in the advertising and marketing industry, group vice president for advertising Cory Basso has decided to retire from San Antonio-based H-E-B on Sept. 4.
Basso has had an incredible career working on memorable and award-winning campaigns with some of the best brands in the world, including Sony, Heineken, Capital One credit cards, Toyota, Molson, Coors Light, and Mazda. When he joined H-E-B, they were mainly a print advertiser; under his leadership and with his keen sense of what customers want, H-E-B quickly became a multi-faceted world-class advertising and marketing company.
A true brand-builder, Basso is the force behind H-E-B’s now famously recognizable San Antonio Spurs, Houston Texans and Astros commercials, multiple Super Bowl commercials, and the longstanding “This is the __ department at H-E-B” campaign.
Of all the brands he’s worked with, Basso said he’s most proud of this work with H-E-B, having built the talented Team 360 and watching how far his Partners have grown. He is thankful to have been a part of Team 360 and the work that all of them do every day, from the WPP to celebrations to digital work, and everything in between.
Community commitment
But “the office” is not the only thing driving him. Basso is the type of person to reach out beyond the industry into the vast, diverse Texas community – and give back.
For example, he has been a major supporter and fund-raiser for the San Antonio Children’s Shelter, throwing a Basso and Friends Christmas Carnival every year, which the children loved, and each child at the shelter receiving numerous gifts. He also constructed a movie theater and sports court at the shelter for the kids to enjoy.
Since the inception of Eva’s Heroes – a nonprofit charity founded by Eva Longoria – Basso has been a major contributor and fund-raiser for special needs children, the foundation of Eva’s Heroes. Other organizations Basso has been involved with include Mission Road Ministries, ARC and Morgan’s Wonderland.
The Houston Chronicle celebrates Basso’s 17 years of creative marketing excellence and commitment and salutes him as he leaves to form his new company, CB360consulting.