With no college education, no real experience, no portfolio - nothing but an idea that I think I can do advertising at the highest level I applied for an internship as a copywriter at Drive Agency. After completing a mock trial run for some ideas for Tilt an energy drink AB had on the market, I got called in for an interview. So excited I told my dad and he said you better look the part, he’s thinking I need to go in looking like Don Draper rather than just dress in my normal attire…streetwear. I listened to him grabbed my one presentation folder, one flyer and one print I had designed and headed downtown.
I meet with Larry Puzniak (who changed my life) & Jeff Rifkin. I remember Jeff looking at Larry like we are wasting our time here but Larry seemed to see something different and said ok I am going to give you a shot. Both me and Jeff said are you serious. He said yes it’s sink or swim and I’ve been keeping my head down only coming up for air occasionally.
I had no idea what a copywriter did, or how much they got paid. I just knew I had a door code and a desk at one of the coolest places (let alone office) I had ever been to and I think I even get a paycheck. We’re talking ping pong tables, full bar fridges full of redbull, a book allowance…..What! I had arrived!
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AD AGENCY x ART GALLERY
Not only did our two story building at 1617 Locust Street in downtown St.Louis house our offices and a room dedicated to ping pong, it also served as an art gallery with bi-monthly art shows and rotating art for us, our clients and the general public to see and enjoy. One of my favorite one’s we did was the DIY skate deck art show. Simple buy a blank board, do something to it. Bring it back by this day and tell us how much to sell it for. Come to the party for free beer and. PBJ’s. It was a huge success.
“I specialize in meeting people where they are at and try to take them to where they want to go with what they have.”
-Me