What got you into this business in the first place?
Songwriting. If you can sell a song, you can sell anything.
Who was a big influence in your career?
A client and friend named Hugh Forster at Armstrong Interiors,
the flooring
and ceiling company. He showed me that advertising
was an economic
engine, creating products, economic growth,
and jobs. He was right.
What was your "finest moment," the thing you're most
proud of?
The Scottrade commercials we’ve created over the past five
years
have made a big impact on their business. I’m proud that
they’ve
made a difference. That’s what it’s all
about.
What attracted you to Gearon Hoffman?
Gearon, Daniel F. I don’t know his serial number.
What makes a brand a giant killing brand?
Well, you’ve got to know what you’re selling. It’s
not always features
and benefits. Sometimes it’s how clearly
you can demonstrate that
you actually give a damn about your customer. Those
are the
companies we want as clients. We can help them win.
What talent do you wish you had?
Calculating the distances from one planet to the next. And
grasping
what it all means.
What can't you live without?
That would be my lovely bride, Deborah.
What are your plans for after advertising?
Songwriting. It all comes around.
Do you have any pets?
One rather large Maine Coon cat who is known by her subjects
as Lady Jane Merriwether.
What was growing up like for you?
My Dad was a Marine. My mother was a professional actress.
Any other questions?
What do you do for a good time when you’re not working?
I'm in a rock band called Union Jack. We played Las
Vegas recently with Peter Wolf from the J. Geils Band. If there's
a rock and roll heaven, I think I visited for a little while.
Do you have any kids?
Amanda. College graduate. American University, class of 2007.
Whew!
Unionjackband.org
