AdYack

If you've ever wondered how exceptional design can shape spaces, elevate brands, and even transform how we experience the world around us, you come to the right place. My guest today on the podcast is the award-winning and brilliant interior designer JT Norman—known for his bold, creative approach to design and ability to turn ordinary spaces into works of art. JT's work has earned him acclaim in the design world and a reputation for being a visionary with a unique understanding of how to mix style, function, and storytelling into all his projects. Whether it's a luxury penthouse or a commercial space, JT brings his distinct perspective to every project he touches. We discussed his recent design work on Meli, the newest Easton Greek restaurant, and how he transformed the old Maxim's into a European oasis.

After you hear him share his advice and expertise, you’ll understand why he’s in such high demand. We spoke at length about how he uses the power of creativity to ignite his curiosity , to how he uses storytelling in his work, and his core design philosophy is something that I found fasinating. JT's approach to design is anything but conventional, and neither was this interview. I'm grateful he took the time to share his unique perspectives on the craft of what it means to be an interior designer.

My guest today is someone who I have admired ever since meeting him when he was working at The Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, headquartered in King of Prussia. PA. Five minutes into that meeting, I knew Ed and I would become friends. Our first meeting took place at the request of a mutual friend, who recommended we meet each other as they felt we had similar outlooks on life and business. Turns out, he was right.

Ed grew up in Philadelphia and launched his marketing and advertising career at companies like Converse and Timberland, among others, before landing in the CEO chair at Visit Williamsburg this past Summer, where he works with a wide range of tourism partners like Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. Ed’s career journey is fascinating, as he could give a Masterclass on leadership and how to inspire a team.

We spoke on various topics, including the innovation he participated in during his time working at Converse and Timberland and how both brands reinvented themselves and, in the process, created cult brands. Ed's a savvy marketer, a consummate leader, an adjunct professor at St. Joe's University, and an all-around great guy. Ask anyone who's ever worked with him, and you will hear nothing but praise and admiration for someone who never fails to leave a lasting mark.

This interview is jam-packed with solid advice on how to lead a marketing team, how to get people to embrace risk, and what goes into creating a cult brand. We also discussed creativity's role in creating work that cuts through the clutter and drives results. Get ready to be inspired.

Here is my Ad Yack, with Ed Harris.

#creativity #tourism #travel #leadership #mentor #marketing

#teaching #branddevelopment #branding #advertising #risk #ideas

Today's guest on the podcast is someone I have been a fan of for over 20 years. He's a gifted lyricist, brilliant guitarist, both acoustic and electric, producer, singer, and storyteller, and on a constant quest to seek new challenges wherever he may find them. I'm talking about Francis Dunnery. Dunnery has always pushed the envelope of what he believes music can be by simply refusing to be boxed in to a specific genre. My first encounter with Francis was at a show back in 1997 at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, after a friend gave me one of his CD’s and we went to see him play. As the former frontman of prog rockers, It Bites, Dunnery had embarked on a solo career, and what I witnessed that night on the stage changed my life. That's not hyperbole; that's my truth. Dunnery is unapologetically authentic, which is what I love about him. We yak it up about his musical influences, his love of 70’s music, his favorite band, Genesis, his creative process, and to how he has zero interest in remaining stagnant or complacent. His musical collaborations have included working with Robert Plant, Ian Brown, Lauryn Hill, Santana, and Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe as a producer and/or collaborator with David Sancious, and Chris Difford of Squeeze. I asked Francis how he landed the gig as Robert Plant's guitarist, and what he said, both surprised and delighted me. In 2002, Dunnery founded the Charlie and Kathleen Dunnery Children's Fund, a volunteer-run fundraising charity based in his hometown of Egremont, and named in honor of his late parents, whose mission is to provide grants and charitable donations to organizations that directly benefit local Cumbrian children in need. Throughout his life, Dunnery experienced things most of us only get to read about in rock magazines. From his life on the road touring with Former Led Zep frontman Robert Plant to today, living a more quite existence in the mountains of Pennsylvania away from the music industry. Dunnery's next big adventure is “The Life Farm” which will provide meaningful employment to the under served and will offer a variety of classes involving nature and the arts. This interview is a fun, wild ride through the mind of someone I have admired for a long time, and I believe, you'll understand why after you hear our conversation. I’m grateful that he sat down with me to discuss his life, music, and work. Here is my Ad Yack....with Francis Dunnery.

#music #creativity #guitarplayer #songwriter #inspiration #guitar #singer

Today on AdYack I talk to Cameron Day, Cameron is a brilliant creative director, brand strategist, and the malcontent scribe behind an awesome series of books called the Advertising Survival Guide trilogy, which delves into brand architecture, political landmines, and mentorship.

Cameron’s latest book, Stones & Sticks, is chock full of great advice for creatives at any level, and Cameron’s not afraid to tell the uncomfortable stories right alongside the inspiring ones. He also happens to be the son of Guy Day, one of the all-time agency greats and co-founder of global agency TBWA Chiat/Day.

Cameron will be coming to the Lehigh Valley on November 21st at Moravian University Foy Hall to share his wealth of knowledge and wisdom in person. Cameron has penned medal-attracting work for Land Rover, Microsoft, Shiner Beer, Diesel, Rolling Stone Magazine, and Wyoming Tourism, among others. Cameron and I yak it up on topics ranging from why he believes that good enough is not enough to the story of how Apple CEO Steve Jobs hated the original ‘Think Different’ campaign, to the great advice his father Guy gave him over the years as Cameron was growing up. And wait until you hear the story of the Shiner beer takeover at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, deliciously brilliant in every sense. This was an intensely authentic conversation because even though I’d never met Cameron, I felt like I had known him forever. That assessment made for an easy exchange between us in that neither had anything to prove, so we just had fun sharing insights and stories. Cameron is a much sought-after creative director and someone I think you’ll find entertaining, fascinating, and inspiring. Cam’s advertising pedigree runs deep, and I can tell that he’s still having fun helping brands grow in an ever-changing media landscape. Cameron’s father helped him navigate upper management, unruly CEOs, and the politics of the Fortune 500 boardroom. Cameron is committed to helping the next generation of creatives navigate the career minefield known as advertising.

@iamcameronday

#creativity #mentor #advertising #mediocrityrepellent

#stories #author #creativemind #books #branding

Roy Shuler Ad Yack Season 5 Today on the podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with SAG-AFTRA actor and all-around incredible human being, Mr. Roy Shuler. I first met Roy when he was cast in the play To Kill a Mockingbird at the PA Playhouse in Bethlehem. He played the pivotal role of Tom Robinson, a role he credits with helping him decide to leave the Lehigh Valley and return to his roots in New York City roots to pursue bigger acting opportunities.

This conversation is filled with life lessons that even the most jaded will find uplifting and encouraging. Roy and I spoke about his life philosophy and how he uses his faith, drive, and unwavering ability to see beyond the obstacles that he may encounter to live in harmony with the opportunities that come his way.

Roy and I also discuss the role he landed in a national spot produced for NIKE and the WNBA. Roy shared his experiences with the casting process and a behind-the-scenes peak while filming his role as 'Mr. Earl.' Roy will appear in the upcoming season of The Godfather of Harlem, which is entering its fourth season. Roy has had co-starring roles on Law & Order: SVU, FBI: Most Wanted, background work on SNL, The show ‘Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens’ for Comedy Central, an episode of Murphy Brown with Candice Bergen, and dozens of local and regional ads.

Roy and I yak it up on a bunch of interesting topics, including a story he shared about an encounter with an overly aggressive beat cop back in NYC when he was 19. He shares how he used that memory to call upon to help him get into character when he performed as the wrongly accused Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird. I saw Roy perform in that play, and it left an indelible mark on me.

When Roy’s not performing, he enjoys serving as an Elementary School Substitute Teacher, primary at schools in his native Harlem. George Eliot once said that, you're never too old to become who you might have been. Trust me, this episode deserves your time and attention because it's a perfect example of the interviews I like to participate in because Roy's story is worth celebrating. Here is my Ad Yack with Roy Shuler.

Facebook: @roy.shuler

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/royshuler

Instagram: @royshuler

Facebook: @williamchilds

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wpchilds

Instagram: @wpchilds

Welcome to Season 5 of Ad Yack, the podcast that explores the minds of creative professionals. I want to thank all the fabulous guests who have agreed to appear on the show over the past four seasons for being so open and vulnerable when sharing their thoughts and insights. Today’s guest will be no stranger to anyone who appreciates music and the exceptional craftsmanship that goes into creating one of the world’s most iconic brands. I’m speaking, of course, about Dick Boak and Martin Guitar. After a chance encounter with C.F. Martin the third, Boak got hired in 1976 as a design draftsman and spent the next 42 years honing his craft. We explored the many creative roles he’s held at Martin to some of the more disastrous jobs he’s attempted to support his bohemian lifestyle prior to joining Martin. Dick Boak is a fantastic artist, musician, guitar builder, woodworker, teacher, illustrator, poet, draftsman, and songwriter. A true renaissance man in every sense of the word and someone who’s work I have admired for a long time.Boak was instrumental in setting up Martin’s Artist Relations Department and conceiving more than one hundred signature guitar collaborations with the top musical talents of our time, such as Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Sting, and Mark Knoplfer. Boak shares his musical Mount Rushmore, along with the now infamous story regarding the destruction of an historic Martin on the set of the Quentin Tarantino movie, The Hateful Eight, to the best piece of advice he’s ever received, which he still uses to this day. Boak may be retired from Martin, but as you're about to learn, he's still out there making good art and pursuing his passions. So tune in, and Turn it on because here is my AdYak with Dick Boak.

#music #creativity #woodworking #marketing

#musician #craftsmanship #passion #guitars #sound

Today on the podcast, AdYack goes international and talks to Brian Wcislo from his home in Costa Rica. In 2005, Brian co-founded 401 Creative, a Lehigh Valley-based ad agency he formed with his college roommate, Curtis Johnson.

The duo found fast success with 401, and Brian was enjoying that success when he noticed that something wasn’t quite right with his body. When multiple doctor visits turned up nothing, a quick Google search indicated he had a candida imbalance that was affecting his personality and his health. It was then that he knew a change was in order.

In 2013, 401 Creative was purchased by Weidenhammer Systems, and after his two-year employment agreement expired, Wcislo left for Costa Rica to take a three-week yoga instructor class. That three-week trip ended up lasting three months.

Wcislo has found a way to live and work that many of us only dream about. He’s found his joy through his family, his location, his meditation and yoga routines, and the work he’s currently doing for a company called Green Machine. He still may have the occasional off day, but he knows it’s temporary.

We talked about what steps anyone can take to achieve a better work/life balance, how he discovered that winning wasn’t the secret to happiness that he thought it would be, and how his life has been completely transformed from the pressure-induced craziness of running an ad agency to one where his family and his health come first.

If you’ve ever felt that there has to be more to life than working 12 hours a day, six days a week, burning the candle at both ends, you will want to make some time to listen to this interview. Wcislo has found a way to live the life he’s always wanted, right down to the fact that he used to tell his friends that one day he could see himself living in Costa Rica. This was a fascinating, informative, and deeply personal conversation.

Here is my AdYack with Brian Wcislo

www.linkedin.com/in/brianwcislo

www.instagram.com/b.p.wcislo

#yoga #creativity #agency #balance #manifesting #purpose

#passion #life

Thank you to our sponsor, ASR media.

Alright, Ad Yackers, today, I get to talk to someone whose work I have admired for quite some time. She is not only the owner of an ad agency, but she understands the importance of giving back to the community where she lives and works. She named her agency after an antelope known for being extremely fast, agile, and able to clear tall hurdles that get in their way.

I’m talking about Sarah Clark of Kudu Creative. I first met Sarah in 2013 when she was an art director at Mosaic Interactive, a digital agency.

We yaked it up on several topics, including client pitch meetings that go sideways, her ability to play three instruments, and her involvement in the Easton Mural Project. I also learned during our conversation that Sarah played three instruments growing up, and we dive into the profound impact music can have on both the player and the listener, as well as her approach to idea generating and how she still makes time to design while running the day to day operations of her agency.

I was surprised by her insights about Artificial intelligence when I brought the topic up,

We talked about where she sees the technology going and how, if used correctly, it can be a game changer.

Before opening her agency, Sarah studied graphic design at Minnesota State University. She worked as a web designer for Flint Communications in Fargo, North Dakota, and was an art director at Mosaic Interactive. She then decided to venture out on her own and open KUDU in September 2014.

Sarah loves the many roles she gets to inhabit: agency owner, designer, marketing strategist, Entrepreneur, and, above all, mom to her two sons.

Here is my AdYack with Sarah Clark..

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.j.clark.984?mibextid=AEUHqQ

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/kuducreative

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjc

Instagram.com/kuducreative

#creativity #branding #leadership #design #art #advertising

#marketing #adagency #strategy

People like to say ‘never judge a book by it’s cover.’ And my next guest on the podcast is the living embodiment of that phrase. I’m talking about the one and only Cheryl Moritz.

If you ever seen her in one of the hundreds of theatrical productions she’s appeared in, you have a good idea what I’m talking about. Or perhaps you seen her dominating the stage, or body surfing the crowd while singing her lungs out in a punk band she’s fronting. I once saw her do an entire American Advertising Awards playing a Russian spy and never broke character through the entire two hours program.

Moritz is one of those people who when she commits to something, she goes all in. Trepidation or hesitation are two words that do not apply to her.

I’ve got to watch her perform as ‘Columbia’ in ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ as well Cindy Lou Who in Who’s Holiday?, and she’s an acting tour de force. Absolutely fearless.

But even with all that energy, sometimes doubt can creep in as artists are notorious for feeling like they're never good enough. We explore that very important topic along with how she stays inspired, how she stays positive how she keeps her wonderment alive.

Another of the topics we discussed is the formation of a support group that could meet periodically to share ideas, offer constructive criticism and provide a positive outlet for anyone who works in a creative capacity. This is just a small sample of what we explored during our interview.

I loved this conversation because Moritz was so open and vulnerable with her thoughts and answers. Don’t let her quite demeaned fool you. When she steps on a stage, or grabs a microphone you can be sure of thing, you’re about to witness something memorable.

Here is my Ad Yack with Cheryl Moritz

#creativity #acting #passion #theatre #committed #punkrock #music #intense

 Today on the podcast, I talk with Catherine Barnstone, who’s father had a tremendous impact on me during the time I studied with him at his art school in Coplay, PA. I’m referring to Mr. Myron Barnstone, a master painter before becoming an internationally respected fine arts teacher. Myron sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 83. Since then, his daughter Cat has been working diligently with a team of art professionals and curators to help ensure Myron’s classical approach to drawing and design will live on through his former students and the instructional material produced before his passing.

After Myron put down his brushes and started teaching full-time, Cat was omnipresent and had a front-row seat to Myron’s teachings and lectures. It wasn’t until his passing that Cat took possession of all of her father’s art that, until then, was crated and packed away for over 50 years. Cat tackled the challenge of bringing Myron’s incredible work out of the warehouse and into a newly renovated gallery space that will have its grand opening in April of 2024 in Thurmond, Maryland.

I met Cat for the first time at Myron’s 80th birthday celebration. What struck me immediately about Cat was her warm, friendly demeanor and sense of humor. But what’s really impressed me about her is her tenacity and dedication to keeping her father’s legacy alive.

I was fortunate to study with Myron; his wisdom has stayed with me and continues to inspire me today. Cat and I talk about her early days helping Myron get his art classes up and running, to the real reason why all of Myron’s art was packed away, with strict instructions to not open them.

We also talked in depth about the impact that Myron had on his thousands of students and how many went on to careers in major motion pictures, animation, architecture, interior design, photography, fine art painting, sculpting, and how she’s finding new, and creative ways to showcase her father’s amazing artwork.

Cat knows all too well the challenges she has to constantly face head on, but she also refuses to let anything stand in her way of guiding the next generation of artists to find their true path through her father’s teachings. She knew it wouldn’t be easy. But then again, nothing worth doing ever is.

Here is my AdYack with Catherine Barnstone.

#barnstone #artist #goldensection #abstract #painting #brush

#original #genius

https://www.facebook.com/catszafran

www.instagram.com/fourthwallcat

www.instagram.com/barnstonestudios