At Cornell, we didn’t have an advertising program but at the time we had a student-run advertising and public relations firm. I started as a copywriter and became account director, creative director and president.\n
We had several accounts including student-run businesses but one highlight was when Delfino Pasta wanted to work with Cornell to build the world’s largest lasagna and get in the Guinness Book of World Records. I handled local advertising and PR and my logo for it was a giant fork. It whet my appetite for big stunts which you’ll see again later.\n
We made it in the Guinness Book, although only briefly since a bigger lasagna was made in Ireland the next year. Without meat! So Lesson 1 is to think big and be bold. \n
Interviewing for jobs after college (also during a recession) I was looking for creative jobs but also for other kinds of jobs in advertising. I got a call to interview at Brandt Publications who produced Interview , created by Andy Warhol.\n
But it was really for Antiques. Ended up turning it down.\n
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My amateur book wasn’t getting me into places but I did nail the typing test at FCB.\n
Worked for 6 creative directors but the exec CD Ted was the one that mattered. He thought my name was Marc.\n
First ads that my boss Dennis let me write. Had me buy cookbooks after I failed writing them the first 2x. Taught me how to help people unlock themselves.\n
My first tagline. Radio and promo campaign.\n
Getting Ted’s attention (it’s this week too)\n\n
Another attempt to get Ted’s attention. It worked when we won AT&T.\n
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Things can come to an end not because of your own actions.\n
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Freelanced. Got a lot of jobs doing early Web including for Brandscape. Mama’s Cucina. Gortons of Gloucester. Early content.\n
Tried to handle my own clients. This was a really nice photographer who wanted to break into the head shot biz. Measured phone calls.\n
Helped run a small business.\n
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A promotion shop and a top digital boutique.\n
Some fun work. Some crap work. \n
Some fun work. Some crap work. \n
Sweepstakes. Promotion. In store. Digital advertising.\n
A big shop.\n
The creative servers were IBM and Etc.\n
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Subaru and built J&J.\n
I think I produced more in 6 months at R/GA than at Ogilvy for 6 years.\n
It was in terrible shape but a chance to run my own office.\n
A good return to entrepreneurial, noisy work.\n
A story of TBWA’s disruption approach\n
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A lot of good work the last 3 years but one highlight. \n