The A-List Podcast

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” is a podcast produced by DiMassimo Goldstein, recorded at 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 podcast that asks the world's top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. Hosted by Tom Christmann, CCO of DiMassimo Goldstein, an inspiring action agency in New York City.

They say you’re not in advertising until you’ve been fired. Droga5 ECD Matt Ian knows a little bit about that. He was fired from his first job in advertising. But did he give up? No sir. And look at him now! In this episode of The A-List, we reel in the years with Matt as he discusses his beginnings as an aimless youth in Connecticut and then takes us through jobs at BBH NY, Chiat NY and Deutsch LA. We also discuss why words are stupid. And if anybody wants to fund Tom & Matt’s Motorcycle Tour of South America, contact Matt on twitter at his “unfortunate handle” @saintdouchebag.

The A-List is brought to you by Adhouse Advertising School. Advertising Age called Adhouse New York’s newest, smallest and arguably hippest ad school. Their philosophy? An ad class is only as relevant as the professional who teaches it. Adhouse classes are taught by the best in the biz in the agencies where they work. You get ten weeks of classes for just six hundred bucks. To apply, go to http://www.adhousenyc.com and for the latest news, follow adhousenyc on Facebook.

The host of The A-List is Tom Christmann, Chief Creative Officer at DiMassimo Goldstein, an Inspiring Action agency in New York City. It’s recorded at Gramercy Post in New York City.

They say you’re not in advertising until you’ve been fired. Droga5 ECD Matt Ian knows a little bit about that. He was fired from his first job in advertising. But did he give up? No sir. And look at him now! In this episode of The A-List, we reel in the years with Matt as he discusses his beginnings as an aimless youth in Connecticut and then takes us through jobs at BBH NY, Chiat NY and Deutsch LA. We also discuss why words are stupid. And if anybody wants to fund Tom & Matt’s Motorcycle Tour of South America, contact Matt on twitter at his “unfortunate handle” @saintdouchebag.

The A-List is brought to you by Adhouse Advertising School. Advertising Age called Adhouse New York’s newest, smallest and arguably hippest ad school. Their philosophy? An ad class is only as relevant as the professional who teaches it. Adhouse classes are taught by the best in the biz in the agencies where they work. You get ten weeks of classes for just six hundred bucks. To apply, go to http://www.adhousenyc.com and for the latest news, follow adhousenyc on Facebook.

The host of The A-List is Tom Christmann, Chief Creative Officer at DiMassimo Goldstein, an Inspiring Action agency in New York City. It’s recorded at Gramercy Post in New York City.

The podcast that asks the world's top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. Hosted by Tom Christmann, CCO of DiMassimo Goldstein, an inspiring action agency in New York City.

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.

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.

The podcast that asks the world's top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. Hosted by Tom Christmann, CCO of DiMassimo Goldstein, an inspiring action agency in New York City.

The A-LIST

EPISODE #004 – DAVID ANGELO

RECORDED APRIL 12, 2017.

Welcome to the fourth episode of the A-List, the podcast that asks the world’s top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. For this episode, Tom invited David Angelo into our Gramercy studios in New York City. (In-Person!) David is the Founder and Chairman of David & Goliath, an integrated agency in El Segundo, California. You'll hear about David's time as a Teamster in the Bay Area and his journey from high school dropout to working at some of the top ad agencies in NYC. You'll sit with David at the feet of ad industry giants like Cliff Freeman. And you'll hear about how being Brave is the ultimate super power. You can follow David on twitter at @_DavidAngelo and connect with his agency at http://www.dng.com.

The A-List is brought to you by Adhouse Advertising School. Advertising Age called Adhouse New York’s newest, smallest and arguably hippest ad school. Their philosophy? An ad class is only as relevant as the professional who teaches it. Adhouse classes are taught by the best in the biz in the agencies where they work. You get ten weeks of classes for just six hundred bucks. To apply, go to www.adhousenyc.com and for the latest news, follow adhousenyc on Facebook.

Thanks for listening. Please rate us and subscribe to the show on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us through adhouse.com.

Follow Tom Christmann on Twitter (@mongoindustries). Check out DiMassimo Goldstein at www.digobrands.com

The A-List is recorded at www.gramercypost.com/ in New York City.

The A-LIST

EPISODE #004 – DAVID ANGELO

RECORDED APRIL 12, 2017.

Welcome to the fourth episode of the A-List, the podcast that asks the world’s top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. For this episode, Tom invited David Angelo into our Gramercy studios in New York City. (In-Person!) David is the Founder and Chairman of David & Goliath, an integrated agency in El Segundo, California. You'll hear about David's time as a Teamster in the Bay Area and his journey from high school dropout to working at some of the top ad agencies in NYC. You'll sit with David at the feet of ad industry giants like Cliff Freeman. And you'll hear about how being Brave is the ultimate super power. You can follow David on twitter at @_DavidAngelo and connect with his agency at http://www.dng.com.

The A-List is brought to you by Adhouse Advertising School. Advertising Age called Adhouse New York’s newest, smallest and arguably hippest ad school. Their philosophy? An ad class is only as relevant as the professional who teaches it. Adhouse classes are taught by the best in the biz in the agencies where they work. You get ten weeks of classes for just six hundred bucks. To apply, go to www.adhousenyc.com and for the latest news, follow adhousenyc on Facebook.

Thanks for listening. Please rate us and subscribe to the show on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us through adhouse.com.

Follow Tom Christmann on Twitter (@mongoindustries). Check out DiMassimo Goldstein at www.digobrands.com

The A-List is recorded at www.gramercypost.com/ in New York City.

The podcast that asks the world's top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. Hosted by Tom Christmann, CCO of DiMassimo Goldstein, an inspiring action agency in New York City.

The A-LIST

EPISODE #003 – GREG HAHN

RECORDED MARCH 10, 2017.

Hey, everyone! This is our third episode of the A-List, the podcast that asks the world’s top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. Today, Tom speaks with Greg Hahn, Chief Creative Officer at BBDO New York. They talk about Greg’s journey from Cincinnati, Ohio to his first internship at Franklin Stoorza in San Diego. Greg shares how he was first exposed to great advertising (hint: it didn’t involve ad school) and why his philosophy is ‘yes’. You’ll learn about the benefits of eavesdropping and “staying out of your box” to find inspiration. Finally, don’t miss Greg’s one piece of magic advice that every young creative needs to hear. You can follow Greg on Facebook here.

The A-List is brought to you by Adhouse Advertising School. Advertising Age called Adhouse New York’s newest, smallest and arguably hippest ad school. Their philosophy? An ad class is only as relevant as the professional who teaches it. Adhouse classes are taught by the best in the biz in the agencies where they work. You get ten weeks of classes for just six hundred bucks. To apply, go to http://www.adhousenyc.com and for the latest news, follow adhousenyc on Facebook.

Thanks for listening. Please rate us and subscribe to the show on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us through adhouse.com.

Follow Tom Christmann on LinkedIn. Check out DiMassimo Goldstein at http://www.digobrands.com

The A-List is recorded at http://www.gramercypost.com/ in New York City.

The podcast that asks the world's top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. Hosted by Tom Christmann, CCO of DiMassimo Goldstein, an inspiring action agency in New York City.

The A-LIST

EPISODE #002 – TY MONTAGUE

RECORDED MARCH 9, 2017.

Hey, everyone! This is our second episode of the A-List, the podcast that asks the world’s top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. In today’s episode, Tom chats with Ty Montague, CEO of co:collective and author of “True Story: How to Combine Story and Action to Transform Your Business.” They discuss Ty’s interesting, circuitous route into the advertising industry and his job as a bartender where it all began. Ty provides some valuable advice for students trying to break into the industry, and urges them to create as much as they can, wherever they are. You’ll hear him talk about troublemakers and why he likes people who break things. You’ll learn how “storydoing” can help you land your first job in advertising. Finally, you won’t want to miss Ty’s take on whether we’re living in a computer simulation. You can follow Ty on Twitter at @tmontague and on Facebook here.

The A-List is brought to you by Adhouse Advertising School. Advertising Age called Adhouse New York’s newest, smallest and arguably hippest ad school. Their philosophy? An ad class is only as relevant as the professional who teaches it. Adhouse classes are taught by the best in the biz in the agencies where they work. You get ten weeks of classes for just six hundred bucks. To apply, go to http://www.adhousenyc.com and for the latest news, follow adhousenyc on Facebook.

Thanks for listening. Please rate us and subscribe to the show on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us through adhouse.com.

Follow Tom Christmann on LinkedIn. Check out DiMassimo Goldstein at http://www.digobrands.com

The A-List is recorded at http://www.gramercypost.com/ in New York City.

The podcast that asks the world's top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. Hosted by Tom Christmann, CCO of DiMassimo Goldstein, an inspiring action agency in New York City.

The A-LIST

EPISODE #001 – ROB REILLY

RECORDED JAN 23, 2017.

Hey, everyone! It’s the very first ever episode of The A-List, the podcast that asks the world’s top advertising professionals how they got started in the business. Today Tom talks to Rob Reilly, Global Creative Chaiman of McCann WorldGroup. They talk about Rob’s beginnings in Montvale, NJ and his job as a bartender at the beach in Delaware, where he wrote ads for those planes that fly by while you’re getting your tan on. You’ll hear about how Rob got his first job at McCann and how Alex Bogusky told him some news he didn’t want to hear. And don’t miss the part about the fax Rob sent to Rich Silverstein and why he never followed up. Finally, we get some advice on how to do your best work (Hint: work a lot.) You can follow Rob on Twitter at @RobReillyMC and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rob.reilly.52.

The A-List is brought to you by Adhouse Advertising School. Advertising Age called Adhouse New York’s newest, smallest and arguably hippest ad school. Their philosophy? An ad class is only as relevant as the professional who teaches it. Adhouse classes are taught by the best in the biz in the agencies where they work. You get ten weeks of classes for just six hundred bucks. To apply, go to http://www.adhousenyc.com and for the latest news, follow adhousenyc on Facebook.

Thanks for listening. Please rate us and subscribe to the show on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us through adhouse.com.

Follow Tom Christmann on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomchristmann/. Check out DiMassimo Goldstein at http://www.digobrands.com

The A-List is recorded at http://www.gramercypost.com/ in New York City.