All the (local) Mad Men

Last weekend, Ottawa at Home magazine published a series of profiles of local "Mad Men" as part of their issue on mid- 20th Century style.




Who's that guy with the Scotch?



It's actually iced tea, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get my own vintage style on. I've always had a thing for skinny ties.

Here's the text of the interview:

How did you get started in advertising?

After failing to break into honest travel or entertainment writing, I answered an ad for Copywriters at an Ottawa advertising agency. Within five years, I was a Creative Director.

What is an advertising slogan that has stuck with you for a long, long time?

“You got it, Pontiac!” It actually became part of our jargon in the playground when I was a kid.

Where do you do your best work?

Anywhere I can get together with my best colleagues. I prefer to do it at a pub, but a quiet corner of the agency will do. Solo writing I do in my head while walking to and from; I usually arrive with my best ideas behind me.

What are the challenges the advertising world faces these days?

Changing media behavior. While it’s killing some traditional admen, I think this is a great time to be in the business. It’s like when radio and TV were still innovative media — back in the ‘50s. It ushered in a golden age for our industry.

What local tourist attraction would you most like the opportunity to promote and what would your slogan for it be?

We did a campaign for The Bytown Museum. It was part of a pro-bono creative strategy plan. It’s "Where Ottawa Begins.

I was featured along with Todd Marcotte of Electric Medialand, Don Masters of Mediaplus, and Gord McMillan (my first CD) from McMillan.










It was kind of cool to be up there with a bunch of agency Presidents — and me just a humble salary man. But I was a little disappointed that I was the only one who dressed up. And I can't help but sigh and acknowledge that none of our city's Mad Women was featured. Especially since the up-and-coming character of Peggy is such an important aspect of the show's examination of social change. Seeing a sausage party in this spread makes it look like nothing has changed.

Nonetheless, it's great to get some print exposure, to give Acart a boost and name-check my friends at The Bytown Museum.

But enough about me. There's social issues marketing to do!