On the Plus Side

Greatest Hits. On the Plus Side

I could dwell on my career setbacks but I take the good with the risks that come with everything I do. Here are some highlights that offset the setbacks.

St. Lukes’s – Because of my 1st grade teacher, Sister Francesca (who became the principal), I believe I have the best cursive handwriting among my siblings.  

Cleveland Plain Dealer carrier – One of my customers lost his wife of many years. I said “I can only imagine” to which he replied “Oh, no you can’t possibly imagine” (I never forgot him saying that.)

Morgan Studio – On the occasional rides home from the Studio (especially when Jane Geiger was riding with us) I enjoyed eaves droping on the business conversation that I have come to think of as my attendance in the Shoreway Seminars.

Sir Speedy – The Cuban head pressman was always playing with me – especially after I admitted I had only introductory Spanish instruction. Me llamo Paco… I told him…He would ask me “Hey Paco, You got any business for us?”

SSC&B:Lintas – I learned from an HR guy in the agency who told me that there were approximately 8,000 applicants for an entry level job at a big time agency like that. Pretty impressive win getting in, in the first place.

Marsteller Inc. – My initials reminded an agency veteran of his former boss, William A. Marsteller (WAM).    

J. Walter Thompson – I ate at Sparks restaurant up the street with family friend Karen Grace, That’s the location adjacent to 1985 Mob hit on Castellano. Also, I have many fond memories at McCann’s bar and/or JR Cigars with my Uncle David who had an office nearby. And we shared a legendary elevator ride with Mother Teresa.

Sawdon and Bess – I made it to the Newsweek building on Madison Avenue. I was ceremoniously promoted at lunch at Smith and Wolensky’s. Madison Avenue ad guy. 

Tracy-Locke – I managed to convince a hot-air balloon pilot to fly his balloon with a custom Pepsi balloon envelope. The Lehigh Balloon Festival with Bobby Sparks at the helm. Philly, Allentown and Moonachie, N.J. I learned about end aisle displays, pole toppers and point of sale merchandising.

BBDO - I was in meetings with advertising legend legendary Phil Deusenberry. Midtown Manhattan.

Sweeney & Partners –Thomas Sweeney had been roommates at Notre Dame with Miami Dolphin great Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti. 

Rocket Burkhead Lewis & Winslow in Raleigh, NC. Got to work with Howard Rockett. I was next in line to be President of the Triangle Advertising Federation. I was involved in annual Addy Awards. (Nearly every year after that I was recruiter of appropriate judges regional Addy awards). 

Crispin & Porter (in Miami) A lot of fun pitching business with the creative imaginations of Chuck Porter and Alex Bogusky and maybe the hottest creative shop in America. 

Tinsley Advertising – I founnd myself at an agency I had first contacted while in college. Jim Flannagan and Sandy Tinseley still there. 

TBWA – (St. Louis) I managed two stops at top agencies in St. Louis. After I left I managed to land a project with Prairie Farms (Ice Cream TV Spot) with Lloyd Wolfe and agency creative team.

DMB&B – D’Arcy (St. Louis) hired me to be account guy on Southwestern Bell and Pacific Bell. 

HBE – CEO Fred Kummer challenged me to help during a PR crisis and added hotel advertising/marketing to my job. 

Clayco – CEO Bob Clark benefitted from tactics I used at HBE. I managed to get ENR’s Design Build Magazine to feature HBE and Clayco with two unique and wonderful cover stories. (Pretty amazing).

Thermadyne – Profile ads of over 35 welder/fabricator users of Thermadyne brands (Stoody, Tweco, Victor, Thermal Dynamics…)  

Crossland – (Columbus, KS) Nice feature stories and project highlights in company magazine 3 times a year. I was a sort of editor/publisher. 

Neuwoehner High School – I was the annual talent show coordinator 4 years in a row. 

Great Circle – (Webster Groves, MO) Teacher in self-containted special education classroom.

SSD – Special School District /Riverview Gardens school district Westview Middle School. IEPs and parent interfacing.   

Winfield Middle School – middle school Art in Lincoln County. Developed and tested solid art lesson plans. 

Old North Academy campus of Confluence Academies. Got student work posted in local Old North neighborhood – 8+ postings. (i.e. Sept, October, Nov/Dec, February, April) 

A lot of peaks and valleys. But the peaks and more memorable and more significant.   

Oh and a few Extracurricular activities:

American Marketing Association board member in Saint Louis more than 25 years (twice chapter president). Docent tour guide at Laumeier Sculpture Park 10+ years (giving over 100 tours of the park).