Ever since I was a kid, I was curious about everything -- so curious, that by the time I landed in college at the University of Missouri, I had six majors.
I wanted to major in everything. That’s what curiosity does to you. Then I quite randomly enrolled in an ad copy class. And I knew instantly. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I was in love with the idea that my curiosity could help me unearth ideas and stories about things I would never otherwise know about. And I was enamored with the prospect that I could use these ideas and stories to spark other people’s curiosity. I knew this would lead to sales. It did. I knew it would lead to awards. It did. I climbed the advertising ladder in Kansas City in the '90s at hot shops Barkley and Evergreen and Valentine Radford. Then FCB Chicago called. And of course, my curiosity lead me there.
Fasion icon, age 7
MY STORY
A CRE-8-ive Vision
Starting in 1998, I spent nine years in the windy city creating famous campaigns for A1 Steak Sauce, Jell-O and many other iconic brands. Double digit sales increases always followed. So did One Show, New York Festivals, CA and Effie awards.
I became CD/VP. But then, a new opportunity knocked at my door. A mid-size in Atlanta — Ames Scullin O’Haire —
was looking for creative help. Of course my curiosity got the best of me. I moved. And for nine years, I created more campaigns and won more awards. My ideas produced double digit sales increases for clients including Mitsubishi Electric and Georgia Aquarium. Along the way, I also wrote and performed music. And with Tyler Perry, I was named one of Atlanta's 50 most creative people.
For the last five years, I've worked for Ad Age top-3 agency VMLY&R. In addition to becoming immersed in digital and social creative, I've helped win two new business pitches and launched a hugely successful digital-centric campaign for
Bayer K9 Advantix II. And another for BASF Ag Solutions.
Now I’m curious about the next opportunity. Everything has changed thanks to the wild west of digital and social media.
This scares some people. But it just makes me more curious. That’s why I love this business. When I started, I never imagined I’d be writing blogs and Facebook posts in the voice of a dry-witted South African penguin. But I am. And it's curiously very satisfying.