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The A-List Podcast: Episode 018 with Sandy Greenberg and Terri Meyer

By James Nieman | 12/05/2017 | in

This week on The A-List Podcast, host and DiMassimo Goldstein CCO is joined in the studio by Sandy Greenberg and Terri Meyer, co-founders of TERRI & SANDY, an award-winning, brand-igniting agency that was recently named Ad Age’s Small Agency of the Year.

Before founding their own agency, both Sandy and Terri left their creative marks on some of the biggest agencies in the world, helping to build some of the most iconic brands, including Mars, Kraft, Campbell’s, Disney and Nestlé. Along the way, they’ve won virtually every industry award, including twelve Effies. Terri and Sandy’s work has permeated popular culture, and has been featured on TBS’ Funniest Commercials, Conan, CNN, The View, Fox News, Access Hollywood, and Today.

For just under an hour, Terri and Sandy tell Tom all about starting their own agency, why young creatives struggle with strategy, the importance of building a strong client relationship, and so much more. Full episode and show notes below!

Show Notes

[0:00 – 1:42] Intro
[01:43 – 4:03] Terri talks about growing up in St. Louis, and how she knew she wanted to be an Art Director from as early as age 15.
[4:04 – 7:17] Sandy talks about moving all over the East Coast during her childhood, and getting her first gig at D’Arcy in St. Louis.
[7:18 – 9:51] Sandy and Terri recall how they first met, and why it took some time for the two to become friendly with each other before eventually becoming partners.
[9:52 – 14:07] What it was like being a female team in the early 90’s, and why politics are the dark side of advertising.
[14:08 – 17:39] The two creative mavens discuss each other’s strengths, why loyalty is so important to a good partnership, open communication, and screaming until you laugh.
[17:40 – 21:46] The two discuss some of their early work together, like the Twix “Oh Yeah” spot, and why young creatives struggle with strategy.
[21:47 – 28:33] The story of Sandy becoming Terri’s birthday present, remembering the wisdom of Richard Levenson, and the importance of not burning bridges.
[28:34 – 32:39] Terri and Sandy talk about starting their agency 7 years ago, and how not having a plan took them from a couch at Terri’s house to on office on Broadway.
[32:40 – 39:10] Building a great client relationship through honesty and listening.
[39:11— 41:00] Growing an agency culture.
[41:01— 44:08] Terri and Sandy talk about some of the favorite campaigns they’ve worked on, including Avon’s “This is Boss Life”
[44:09 – 50:00] How advertising has changed since the Mad Men era, and why agencies need to unite more to give back.
[50:01 – 50:52] Outro

“The A-List” is a podcast produced by DiMassimo Goldstein, recorded at the Gramercy Post, and sponsored by the Adhouse Advertising School, New York’s newest, smallest, and hippest ad school. You can subscribe and rate the show on iTunes or listen along on SoundCloud. For updates on upcoming episodes and guests, be sure to like the A-List Podcast on Facebook and follow host Tom Christmann on Twitter.

The A-List Podcast: Episode 016 with Bobby Hershfield

By James Nieman | 10/04/2017 | in

This week on The A-List Podcast, host and DiMassimo Goldstein CCO Tom Christmann interviews Bobby Hershfield, Partner and CCO at SS+K. Hershfield started his career in account management before eventually shifting over to copywriting during his time at Wieden+Kennedy, and since then he has spearheaded the creative for some of the world’s biggest name brands such as Dell, JCPenney, Target, CNN, and Johnson & Johnson.

Listen in as Hershfield talks about what makes an all-star account person, working with former A-List guests Eric Silver, Ty Montague and David Angelo, and why he ultimately took a pay cut to become a creative. Full episode and show notes below!

Show Notes

[0:00 – 1:19] Intro
[1:20 – 3:59] Hershfield talks about what it was like moving around a lot as a child, how he had to adjust, and meeting new people
[4:00 – 5:18] How Hershfield first discovered advertising from a Tom Hanks movie
[5:19 – 6: 53] Creative Writing at the University of Michigan, applying to letterman, and graduating in a recession
[6:54 – 11:01] Getting his first job at DDB in account management, being let go and having to work as a video store clerk before finally getting another job at Chiat\Day
[11:02 – 13:29] Working with Eric Silver, Ty Monague, David Angelo at Chiat\Day
[13:30 – 17: 34] The first “virtual office” and taking creative classes
[17:35 – 19:00] What makes an all-star account person?
[19:01 – 23:31] Hershfield’s mentors in account management, the feeling you get after he was let go, and the story of how he hung around until he was rehired
[23: 32 – 27:00] Accepting an offer at Wieden+Kennedy, the difference between New York and Portland, and how the culture at Wieden focused on the work and not the lifestyle
[27:01 – 31:19] Moving to New York to take a pay cut and shift to the creative side
[31:20 – 35: 24] Thinking irresponsibly and the different line of thinking you have to adopt to be a creative
[35:25 – 39:44] Working Albert Brooks for his first commercial
[39:45 – 43: 35] What it was like working under Ty Montague and the benefit of tough love
[43:36 – 47:20] Managing a team, being a mentor, and when you know it’s time to become a creative director
[47:21 – 53:47] What Bobby looks for in a young creative, what made Gerry Graf a special teacher, and the many advantages of attending Adhouse
[53: 48 – 54:43] Outro

The A-List Podcast: Episode 015 with Omid Farhang

By James Nieman | 09/27/2017 | in

In the fifteenth installment of the A-List Podcast, host and DiMassimo Goldstein CCO Tom Christmann is joined by Omid Farhang, the chief creative officer at experiential agency Momentum Worldwide. Over the course of forty-five minutes, Farhang quotes the Wu-Tang Clan, talks about growing up as the child of an Iranian cowboy, and shares some of the most valuable lessons he learned working under and alongside the biggest names in the industry. Full episode and show notes below!

[0:00 — 1:36] Intro
[1:37 — 8:05] Farhang tells Tom about growing up the child of an Iranian cowboy, and the pressure he felt to become a doctor or a lawyer
[8:06 – 11: 53] How Farhang discovered advertising, and the emotions that ran through his head when he first walked into the Chiat\Day office
[11:54 – 18:14] How the Honda “Grrr” spot inspired him to go into advertising
[18:15 – 20:55] Wanting to be a writer and going to ad school with a sense of purpose and urgency
[20:56 – 22:55] How the definition of titles is changing in the industry, what he learned from the Wu-Tang Clan, and how he has been influenced by comedy and hip hop
[22:56 – 27:25] Starting as an intern at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, living in a basement, and the benefit of writing 200 headlines
[27:26 — 31:18] The lessons Farhang learned working as a young creative on Miller High Life
[31:19 — 36:12] Farhang walks us through his plea to Alex Bogusky for a full-time gig and why he dropped out of ad school without a job
[36:13 – 38:37] The interview process toward becoming a first time CCO, Momentum Worldwide, and the power of an honest business relationship
[38:38 – 41:00] Working with the children of NBA superstars for SAP’s “The Simple Report”
[41:01 – 46:00] The benefits of freelancing, releasing ideas into the wild and experiential advertising
[46:01 – 47:50] What “Malicious Obedience” is, and how young creatives can avoid it
[47:51 – 48:45] Outro

The A-List Podcast: Episode 009 with Megan Skelly

By James Nieman | 06/01/2017 | in

The A-List Podcast

In the ninth episode of “The A-List” podcast, host and DiMassimo Goldstein Chief Creative Officer Tom Christmann chats with his long-time friend Megan Skelly, the Group Executive Creative Director at R/GA. Megan has been the creative lead on some of the world’s biggest name brands such as Coca-Cola, Target, Stella Artois, and most recently Verizon Wireless. Last year, Business Insider named her one of the “30 Most Creative Women in Advertising” – an honor that she fully deserves.

Tune in and hear Megan and Tom talk about their time together at Kirshenbaum, stepping over dead bodies, not being afraid to be stupid and so much more. Full episode and show notes below!

Show Notes

[00:00 – 01:36] Intro
[01:37 – 09:24] Megan talks about her childhood in Connecticut and her aspirations of becoming a painter
[09:25 – 13:40] Living on a pull out couch for three years in Westport and trying to get a job in the recession
[13:41 – 19:20] Moving to New York City and working at Wonderman
[19:21 – 26:00] Megan talks about her role models in the industry
[26:01 – 31:03] Working on Cablevision at KBS and becoming a storyteller
[31:04 – 37:16] “Making it”, using fear as a motivator, and trusting the process
[37:17 – 44:20] Not being afraid to be stupid and knowing your strengths
[44:21 – 46:05] Why the industry is more exciting today than ever
[46:06 – 54:50] The different DNA of R/GA
[54:41 – 55:52] Outro

The A-List Podcast: Episode 008 with Rob Schwartz

By James Nieman | 05/17/2017 | in

A-List podcast

“Everything is interesting. If you find something boring, then you’re boring”

This week on “The A-List” podcast, host and DiMassimo Goldstein Chief Creative Officer Tom Christmann is joined in the studio by Rob Schwartz, the Chief Executive Officer at TBWA\CHIAT\DAY New York. Before becoming CEO, Schwartz enjoyed a long and very successful career as a creative, winning nearly every advertising award under the sun and spearheading the creative behind some of the world’s most recognized brands such as Nissan, McDonald’s, VISA, and Thomson Reuters, among others. Rob is also the host of his own podcast titled “The Disruptor Series,” for which he interviews people who are disrupting business culture and life.

In this episode, Tom and Schwartz break down the differences and similarities between agencies in LA and New York, discuss the managerial prowess of pirates, and talk about how the position of CEO is still very much a creative role. Full episode and show notes below!

Show Notes:

[0:00 – 1:02] Intro
[1:03 – 4:12] Rob’s childhood in New York and aspirations of becoming a writer
[4:13 – 9:30] Rob’s story of tearing up his LSAT during the test
[9:31 – 11:20] Rob’s experience in a leadership training school
[11:21 – 15:50] The epiphany that ultimately launched Rob’s advertising career
[15:51 – 20:43] Becoming an ad geek historian
[20:44 – 26:50] Mentorship and the value of work ethic
[26:51 – 28:59] The fear of failure
[29:00 – 34:20] The difference between agencies in LA and New York
[34:21 – 36:27] Working with supreme talent at Team One
[36:28 – 39:20] Catching the eye of Chiat
[39:21 – 47:20] The transition from a creative to a CEO and why it’s cooler to be the pirates than the navy
[47:21 – 50:17] Rob’s advice to young creatives
[50:18 – 52:13] The future of advertising
[52:14 – 55:52] Recommended books and “The Disruptor Series”
[55:53 – 56:56] Outro

“The A-List” is a podcast produced by DiMassimo Goldstein, recorded at the Gramercy Post, and sponsored by the Adhouse Advertising School, New York’s newest, smallest, and hippest ad school. You can subscribe and rate the show on iTunes or listen along on SoundCloud. For updates on upcoming episodes and guests, be sure to like the A-List Podcast on Facebook and follow host Tom Christmann on Twitter. If you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us at AdhouseNYC.com.

The A-list Podcast: Episode 007 with Gerry Graf

By James Nieman | 05/11/2017 | in

A-List podcast

“I try to be really clear at what I’m not good at and then think about how I can change that… it’s about just being honest with yourself”

This week on “The A-List” podcast, host and chief creative officer of DiMassimo Goldstein Tom Christmann chats with the one and only Gerry Graf, founder and chief creative officer of Barton F. Graf.

Before starting his own agency, Graf spent the better half of two decades making award-winning creative for some of the most well-respected agencies in the world, such as Goodby Silverstein and Partners, BBDO, TBWA/Chiat Day, and Saatchi among others. For his outstanding work, Business Insider would later label him “The Most Creative Man in Advertising”.

Tune in as Gerry tells Tom all about his time writing for the “SNL of Notre Dame”, hunting rats in Venice Beach, the importance of making your own opportunities and why creativity is valued more today than ever. Full episode and show notes below!

Show Notes

[0:00 – 1:42] Intro
[1:43 – 4:56] Tom and Gerry’s past at BBDO and what it was like growing up in Lexington, MA
[4:57 – 7:30] Going pre-med to Notre Dame
[7:31 – 13:07] Writing for the Keenan Revue – the SNL of Notre Dame
[13:08 – 14:23] Post Notre Dame life and hunting rats in Venice Beach for six months
[14:24 – 17:15] Hating life as a stockbroker for two years in Boston
[17:15 – 22:03] Gery’s first portfolio, getting denied from agencies, and the introduction of Ken Fitzgerald
[22:04 – 25:48] Being offered a job at Saatchi & Saatchi while on a payphone in Grand Central
[25:49 – 27:13] The walk of shame
[27:14 – 29:22] Emulating Cliff Freeman
[29:23 – 37:50] Gerry’s “pull the rug” copywriting trick and getting his big break on Snickers while at BBDO
[37:51 – 44:54] Working at Goodby and finally Reuniting with Ken Fitzgerald after over a decade
[44:55 –50:25] Making your own opportunities, asking the right questions and not giving up
[50:26 – 52:43] Selling and maintaining a good idea
[52:44 – 57: 42] Getting in the industry today and valuing creativity
[57:43 – 58:57] Outro

The A-List Podcast: Episode 006 with Matt Ian

By James Nieman | 05/06/2017 | in

Podcast

In the sixth installment of The A-List Podcast, host and chief creative officer of DiMassimo Goldstein Tom Christmann chats with Matt Ian, Group Creative Director at Droga5. For just under an hour, Christmann and Ian talk about everything from getting fired and bouncing back in your career, to the art of the headline, and how students can succeed in the industry today. Full episode and show notes below!

[0:00 – 1:04] Intro
[1:05 – 7:05] Matt’s childhood playing music in Greenwich, Connecticut
[7:06 – 11:53] Attending the Pratt Institute
[11:54 – 22:45] Matt’s first gig at Lambesis and living in Pasadena, California
[22:46 – 27:59] Working on Airwalk and transitioning from an art director to a copywriter
[28:00 – 29:40] The art of the headline
[29:41 – 32:18] How getting fired made Matt work harder than ever
[32:19 –34:20] Matt’s time working at Chiat Day
[34:21 – 37:50] The fear of being mediocre and how words are stupid
[37:51 – 45:34]: Working at Droga5 and how to get ahead in the industry
[45:35 – 51:47] Matt and Tom talk about what they look for in new hires
[51:48 – 52:30] Outro

The A-List Podcast: Episode 005 with Jill Applebaum

By James Nieman | 04/27/2017 | in

Podcast

“You get more when you are generous… when you give credit…when you share opportunities and don’t hog the limelight for yourself.”

This week on “The A-list” podcast, host and DiMassimo Goldstein chief creative officer Tom Christmann is joined by Jill Applebaum, creative strategist at Facebook Creative Shop. Before joining Facebook, Applebaum made a name for herself at several different agencies including DMB&B, Ogilvy & Mather, Young & Rubicam, J. Walter Thompson and DraftFCB, where she was one of the masterminds behind Oreo’s revolutionary “Daily Twist” campaign. That year, she and her creative partner were listed No.7 on Fast Company’s “Most Creative People of 2013”.

In this episode, Jill and Tom talk about the trials and tribulations of becoming a copywriter, surrounding yourself with good people, the current state of women in the industry, and so much more. If you’re interested in learning from one of the best in the business, this episode is for you. Full episode and show notes below!

Show notes

[0:00 – 1:30] Intro
[1:31 – 12:09] Growing up in New Jersey and starting off in the industry
[12:10 – 14:54] Mentorship and collaboration
[14:55 – 17:01] Why Jill made the move from DMB&B to Ogilvy & Mather
[17:02 – 19:07] Y&R and BrandBuzz
[19:08 – 21:33] The current state of women in the industry
[21:34 – 23:56] Jill’s favorite brands to work on
[23:57 – 26:42] The importance of having a strong work ethic
[26:43 – 31:40] What it means to be a good creative partner
[31:41 – 34:14] Transitioning from being a creative to being a creative director
[34:15 – 40:48] The famous “Daily Twist” Oreo campaign
[40:49 – 43:17] Why Freelancing is against her DNA
[43:18 – 44:44] The similarities and differences between Facebook and Agencies
[44:45 – 49:55] Jill’s advice to young creatives
[49:56 – 51:12] Outro

“The A-List” is a podcast produced by DiMassimo Goldstein, recorded at the Gramercy Post, and sponsored by the Adhouse Advertising School, New York’s newest, smallest, and hippest ad school. You can subscribe and rate the show on iTunes or listen along on SoundCloud. For updates on upcoming episodes and guests, be sure to like the A-List Podcast on Facebook and follow host Tom Christmann on Twitter. If you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us at AdhouseNYC.com.